The history of Assoro highlights some salient features of a town that is truly full of surprises.
The municipality is located in the current the province of Enna and has much to tell anyone who intends to visit.
Here are the most important moments of Assoro, starting from the origins and continuing with the essential phases.
The origins of the village of Assoro
Il village of Assoro it is much older than one might imagine. Today it has just over 5000 inhabitants and stands on the The Star mountain, about 900 meters high. The first inhabited area corresponds to the current Piano di Corte district, which constitutes its main access. The first population to live in Assoro was that of the Sicani from Africa, while the actual birth was due to the Siculi. Then, over the centuries, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans and many other ancient peoples settled there.
An increasingly important story
When Syracuse went to war against the Carthaginians, Etruscans and Greeks, only Assoro was on its side, obtaining the right to the currency in exchange. The village was considered as an independent state in all respects and defended itself from the attempts of the Roman praetor Verre and his men to steal the statue dedicated to the God Chrisas, located in the local temple. The Christians were the protagonists of a vehement revolt against the invading Muslims.
Then, in 1061, Count Ruggero the Norman was welcomed by the village of Assoro. Subsequently, the descendant William II the Good and the Lady of Assoro Costanza built the Church of San Leone, new temple of the town. In the following centuries, other peoples followed one another such as the Swabians and the Angevins. Against the latter, the Assorini took part in the Battle of the Sicilian Vespers, which was very harsh throughout the island. The Angevins were driven out and new knights and dynasties from Spain were led by Peter I of Aragon. Among the most important families, that of the gods stood out Valguarnera, which then came into possession of three fiefdoms.
Points of interest in the municipality of Assoro
today municipality of Assoro is a small town located in the Sicilian province of Enna, but its history has never been erased. Very important is the castle local, probably created by the Byzantines and then conquered by the Normans and the bishop of Catania. Even the Palace of the Princes of Valguarnera assumes its own leading role and takes on a Catalan style. There is no shortage of points of religious interest, among which the Basilica of San Leone, Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and Bell tower of San Biagio.
The current situation of Assoro
Although several centuries have passed, the village of Assoro continues to maintain a remarkable charm. Anyone who wants can take a look at the old city and the new one, which stands on the rock of the mountain called La Stella. The local vegetation is also worth admiring, including oak, olive, carob and almond trees. THE sulfur deposits they remained a true economic hub until the mid-twentieth century.
There are all the ingredients, therefore, to be able to have an interesting experience in the town of Assoro. There is nothing left to do but visit it to be able to touch a thousand-year-old history with your own hands.
© Image by David Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
