Center of Sicily – Anne and Calashibeta

The first human settlements on the territory of Enna belong to the distant prehistoric period of the Neolithic era, starting from 8000 BCE.

During excavations on the hill of Cozzo Matrice, near Lake Pergusa, where the fortified village was located, in the remains of the defensive wall stands an ancient building, a temple dedicated to the goddess of fertility - Kore, which is still available for viewing. Enna is the highest provincial capital in Sicily. The city is located at an altitude of 992 meters above sea level. At this height, an extraordinary panorama opens. This city is called "belvedere" (point of panoramic view) and "ombelico" (navel) of Sicily. The main attractions of the city are the Lombardo Castle, an ancient military structure. The ancient castle, built in the distant 13th century BC by the Sicanians, was then rebuilt many times: by Saracens, Normans, Frederick II of Sicily and reconstructed by Frederick II of Aragon. The castle got its name from the military garrison Lombard, which was located here during the reign of Roger De Gottville (10-11 centuries).

To the north of the Castello di Lombardia there is a powerful rock - Rocca Ceres, on which once stood the famous temple of Demeter (Latin: Ceres) and in prehistoric times there was a ritual of sacrifice. Cicero described it as a divine place where people worshipped the glorious image of the harvest goddess Ceres.
In 173 BC. Roman soldiers invaded the temple, plundered everything, from that day the place of worship was completely destroyed. From the observation decks of the castle and the cliffs of Ceres, a delightful view opens.

A small move to the town of Calashibetta is a unique place of Realmese. Kalashibetta is the name of Arabic origin "Kalat Xibet" (fortress on Mount Xibet).

The territory of Calashibetti was inhabited already in ancient times, as evidenced by four necropolises: Calcarella (XI-X centuries BC), Realmese (with tombs of the ninth and eighth centuries BC), Valley of the Rabbit (VII-X centuries BC) and Malpaso (Copper Age). The archaeological area of Realmese is full of secret charm, a place worth visiting for those who want to plunge for a moment into the world of a distant past that has not yet completely disappeared. Realmese - The second largest Necropolis in Sicily, a monumental complex of 288 artificial caves dating from different dates from the XI and VIII centuries BC, and VII-VI centuries AD. One of the most important archaeological areas of central Sicily.

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