Leonforte
Discovering Leonforte: history, geography, and architecture
Hello everyone! Today I'll talk to you about Leonforte, a Sicilian municipality with about 12,000 inhabitants. Located in the free municipal consortium of Enna, the town stands out for its historic center that stretches along the slope of a hill, with a height ranging from 500 to 700 meters above sea level. But let's take it step by step, and discover together the history, geography, and architecture of this beautiful city.
Physical geography
Leonforte is located in the heart of the Erei Mountains, a mountainous system that surrounds and distinguishes the city's landscape. Its center is framed by a hilly landscape that offers its visitors a charming view of the surrounding countryside. The city is only 22 km away from the provincial capital, Enna.
History
Leonforte has an ancient and interesting history. Here stood the ancient settlement of Tabas or Tavaca. During the Byzantine imperial rule and later the Arab one, a castle known as Castle of Tavi was built not far from the city. With the Norman conquest, the feud passed ownership from one lord to another until, in the 15th century, it came into the possession of the Branciforte family. In 1610, Niccolò Placido I Branciforte elevated the property to the rank of a city and named it Leonforte in honor of his family crest.
Religious architecture
The city is famous for its religious architecture, particularly, two buildings are of particular interest.
Mother Church, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist
The Mother Church is one of the symbols of the city. It was built in 1611, thanks to the devotion of Princess Caterina, wife of Prince Niccolò Placido I Branciforte, on an old pre-existing sanctuary. The inside of the building houses an organ made by the famous organ builder Donato Del Piano in 1740, with over 500 pipes divided into ten registers. Another particular feature of the church is the imposing litter containing the simulacrum of the Madonna del Carmine, the city's patron saint, and Saint Simon Stock. Inside, you can also find an urn containing a beautiful wooden sculpture of the dead Christ dating back to 1650.
Church and convent of the Capuchin Fathers
The church was founded by Prince Niccolò Placido I Branciforte in 1630 and represents the mausoleum of the Branciforte family. Inside the church, there are the sarcophagi of the first prince of Niccolò Placido Branciforte, who died in 1661, and that of his wife Caterina, who died in 1634. In an underground chapel, on the other hand, there are the sarcophagi of Giuseppe Branciforti's family, the second prince of Leonforte.
Conclusion
Leonforte is a city that has many stories to tell and many wonders to admire. Its geographic location, made it particularly fascinating, and the presence of religious buildings enriches its already remarkable history. If you have not yet ventured out to Leonforte, I recommend you do so as soon as possible. I assure you that you will not regret it!
