Sanctuary of Papardura in Enna

The history of the Papardura Sanctuary in Enna is based on rather ancient myths and legends. In fact, it is said that in 1546, a man called Angelo Lo Furgo had an oratory built inside a cave and that he painted scenes of the Crucifixion on the walls. However, traces of this cave were soon lost as debris from the rocky wall above it fell onto it.

The legend of the Sanctuary of Papardura in Enna

According to legend, in the XNUMXth century, some women dreamed of the image of Jesus crucified right at the highest point of the Papardura spring. Not only that, in the dreams they learned about various miracles that had happened to those who had prayed in that place.
For this reason, it was decided to remove the debris and the cave and the image of the Crucifixion were discovered, just as it had appeared in the dream.

Towards the end of the 1696th century and more precisely in XNUMX, a bridge was built specifically for the construction of a church. In fact, the project envisaged the annexation of the wall of the cave seen in the dream at the point where the depiction of the crucified Jesus appeared.

Furthermore, according to legend, between 25 December 1742 and 30 November 1743, it did not rain and there was no damp wind, however this event was followed by a freezing winter during which crops failed, resulting in a harsh famine. To avoid other disastrous events, in 1746 a penitential procession was organized which had the Sanctuary of Papardura as its point of arrival. On this occasion, the parish priest announced to the faithful that the procurators, to pay homage to Jesus, would distribute gifts to the faithful every year. blessed biscuits, called collorelle (or in Sicilian cudduredde), in the shape of a Holy Cross, produced with the same dough as unleavened bread. During that celebration, these biscuits were prepared in honor of the crucified Jesus with the hope that this gesture could represent a good omen for the wheat crops.
That gesture had the desired effect and in that year the harvest was so abundant that all the granaries were not enough to contain it and it was necessary to cram the grain into the neighboring oratories.
For this reason, cudduredde are prepared every year during the celebrations of the feast of the Crucifix precisely as an act of gratitude for the end of the famine.

Architecture and works contained in the Papardura Sanctuary in Enna

As regards the external architecture of the Sanctuary of Papardura, it is rather simple and austere, adorned only by a rose window. The interior, however, appears rich in decorations, with characteristic elements of the Baroque, typical of the Sicilian hinterland. More specifically, inside the Sanctuary it is possible to admire an inlaid wooden ceiling, frescoes and paintings by the Flemish painter Borremans, statues depicting the twelve apostles and stuccos dating back to the 1600s, the work of artists from the school of Giacomo Serpotta.

What to do near the Papardura Sanctuary in Enna

The Sanctuary of Papardura is located a short distance from the center of Enna, therefore in the immediate vicinity there are numerous monuments and points of historical and artistic interest. More specifically, you can visit the Octagonal Tower or Tower of Frederick II, Castle of Lombardy, Church of the Holy Spirit and the splendid Lake Pergusa nature reserve, located about 5 km from the city center.

How to reach the Sanctuary of Papardura in Enna

It is possible to reach the Sanctuary of Papardura starting from the main Sicilian cities. More specifically, it is possible to reach your destination from Palermo by car traveling along the A19 motorway towards Catania and then taking the exit at the Enna junction, or by bus with the SAIS Autolinee company service and by train starting from Palermo Central Station to Enna. Starting from Catania however, it is necessary to take the A19 motorway towards Palermo and take the exit at Enna. Alternatively, it is possible to reach Enna by bus using the SAIS Autolinee company.