Mother Church of San Giovanni Battista of Leonforte

Leonforte, in the Free Municipal Consortium of Enna, is a country that contains small and large treasures within its borders: from the numerous sources, to the churches, from the palaces to the gardens, in Leonforte there is so much to discover, perhaps starting from the Mother Church of Leonforte, entitled to St. John Baptist.

The parish overlooks Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, with its rich and fascinating facade with decorations that stand out for the geometry of the shapes and for the color tones.

The history of the Mother Church of Leonforte begins in the 1611th century, when the first stone was laid in XNUMX. The construction of the church was ordered by the consort of Prince Branciforte, Caterina, a devoted princess who chose this site, where a sanctuary previously stood, to give the town a new sacred building as a gift. The structure was completed at the end of the century.

The architecture of the Mother Church of Leonforte and the works it houses

The main facade of the Mother Church of Leonforte is truly fascinating and lets you imagine what works of art and sacred furnishings are kept inside.

Going up the few steps that separate it from the road surface, you reach the main door, in the center of the facade: an important entrance, with an arched wooden door, surmounted by decorations and set in a double row of lateral columns. The other three doors that open onto the facade, although smaller in size, reproduce the splendor of the central portal. In correspondence with the three side doors there are also three circular windows, while in the second order, in the center of the structure, there is a single, large, rectangular window.

The interior of the Church is divided into three naves and visitors can admire, among other works, the fercolo with the statue of the Madonna del Carmelo, an urn containing the dead Christ in wood from the XNUMXth century and a splendid organ with over five hundred canes, made in the eighteenth century.

What to do in the Mother Church of Leonforte and in the surroundings

Those wishing to visit the Mother Church of Leonforte can include the stage in Via Garibaldi in a wider tour of the town, in fact, after having admired all the works of art that the Church holds (and naturally for those who wish, having witnessed the Mass) visitors can continue their tour of the historic centre: among the Churches of Leonforte, you can find the Church and Convent of the Capuchin Fathers (1630), the Church of Maria SS. of Mount Carmel (built even before the foundation of the town) and the Church of St. Joseph, which houses Flemish frescoes.

After searching for all the other Churches in the country, head to Granfonte, fountain that of the 24 cannoli. Among the fountains of the village, the one found in the is very beautiful Garden of the Nymphs, but for a walk in the countryside, we advise you to go to the Municipal Villa Branciforte, entitled to the ancient lords of the town; speaking of the Branciforte family, they are undoubtedly theirs to visit Palace and stables, one of the most interesting attractions in the centre.

Exploring the area, full of tourist attractions to be discovered, don't forget the time to devote to good food, which in Sicily too is a real art: here you go from pasta with sardines to fried fish, from squash in sweet and sour with ricotta meatballs, without of course forgetting the great classics of Sicilian cuisine, such as the eggplant caponata. Leonforte is also known for the Leonforte fishing, also called late or September fishing, a product of excellence of the area, recognized as a PGI brand since 2010. And it is precisely to this product that every year the Municipality and the entire citizenry are dedicated to the preparation of festival, which takes place on the first Sunday of October.

How to get to the Mother Church of Leonforte

Leonforte, in the Free Municipal Consortium of Enna, can be easily reached both by car and by train.

For those arriving in the car, the most convenient way is the A19 Palermo-Catania, from which take the exit for Mulinello, which is located about 8 km from the centre; alternatively, those who choose the journey on the train, can get off at Caltanissetta Central Station, which is about 33 km from the town and is served by private buses and shuttles, which transfer to the centre.