Piazza Armerina On a Budget
Piazza Armerina
Piazza Armerina is a Lombardic commune in Sicily, meaning its dialect is unique from other areas. The destruction of the old Piazza by King William I of Sicily was followed by the area's repopulation by William II. This led to a dialect that is influenced by different regions. The colonists came from the Lombard regions of northern Italy, most commonly from Monferrato and Piacenza.
Sights
Most people travel to Piazza Armerina for the Roman mosaics that are found in the Villa Romana del Casale. There is also an interesting medieval history to the city that can be seen in the houses and major landmarks around town. There are a variety of different architectural styles that are represented in the many buildings of significance. Buildings worth seeing include the Baroque Cathedral that was built in the 17th and 18th centuries, Palazzo Trigona, the Church of Fundro, the Palazzo di Citta, the Aragonese Castle, the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, the Church of Sant'Anna, the CHurch of St. Martin of Tours, the Church of Santa Maria di Gesu, and the Garibaldi Theater.Neighborhoods
Piazza Armerina is located in the hills of Sicily. It was built in two different parts. The original part of the city was built by the Saracens in the 10th century. It grew toward the southeast in the 15th century and grew further during the 17th century. An interesting area to explore is the area around the Via Monte near the Duomo. This area dates back to the 13th century.Activities
Many people enjoy simply wandering around the interesting, winding streets of the city. The architecture is impressive and the town's character is unique.The city holds an annual Palio dei Normanni, which is a re-enactment of the entrance of the Norman Count Roger I to the city. The re-enactment is done in full costume and takes place between August 12th and August 14th. It's an interesting event to see.
Food and Dining
There are a decent number of restaurants that serve up traditional cuisine in Piazza Armerina. The prices range from budget to high end and the quality is usually quite good with fresh ingredients and seasonal specialties.Transportation
The easiest way to reach Piazza Armerina is by bus. There are frequent buses that travel to and from Enna, Caltagirone, Catania, Palermo and Pergusa. They stop in Piazza Senatore Mareschali. Once you arrive in town then your best option is to walk. You can easily walk around both the old and new towns.It is best to take a bus to the famous Villa Romana, which is located 5 kilometers southwest of town. There are about 5 buses a day that depart from Piazza Senatore Mareschali. If you're motivated, you could simply walk there, or alternatively you could catch a taxi in the nearby Piazza Generale Cascino.
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