Villarosa is a Sicilian village, located in the province of Enna, where time seems to have stopped.
This municipality, in fact, is the scene of one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the entire island, dating back to the period between the fourth millennium and the second millennium BC
A historical heritage, therefore, of inestimable value and undeniable charm jealously guarded by the approximately 5.000 inhabitants of Villarosa.
Also because this small agricultural center enjoys an excellent position from a geographical point of view, being located immediately on the slopes of Mount Giurfo, inside a real basin. Furthermore, it is bathed by the Salso and Morello rivers, two waterways, salty and sweet respectively, which radiate these lands in a florid way, providing continuous lifeblood to an extremely luxuriant agricultural production.
And, most likely, it was this enviable location that in the past made it an arena of tragic conflicts between different baronies as well as a focal point of interaction and exchange between historical civilizations (Greek and Arab above all).
The current town was born thanks to the licentia populandi, a typical concession of Kingdom of Sicily designed to allow the population of a fiefdom, dated 10 April 1762.
And since then, in addition to the already mentioned intense agricultural activity, an equally significant production from a mining point of view has found its way into the local economy, due to the existence of numerous sulfur mines.
Therefore, even today, in the collective imagination, the name of Villarosa is associated both with the presence of the ruins dating back to the ancient pastoral village and with the fervent mining development.
But let's delve into the heart of this town with its undeniable charm through a more detailed description of those who, in current times, represent the guardians, the emblems of the 2 civilizations that were: the agricultural one and the mining one, precisely.
The archaeological complex
Along the valley of Morello river and near today's SS290, in the middle of the route that connects Villarosa with Calascibetta, there is the village of Case Bestione, dating back to prehistoric times.
Specifically, in addition to the classic necropolises, the remains of the ancient inhabited nucleus are also visible in this settlement.
And it is precisely this aspect of an urban planning nature that seems to represent the real innovation compared to studies of the past. Previous research, in fact, had never brought to light such a direct connection between the inhabited areas and the necropolises within this territory. A connection which, at present, seems to be quite visible.
But let's try to describe in more depth the wonder of this authentic prehistoric treasure through a virtual journey of the entire prehistoric village in Villarosa.
Proceeding along the path that runs alongside the Morello, from north to south, we can see a first site, near Villapriolo, essentially made up of ceramic fragments that emerge from the countryside and which date back to the period before the Bronze Age.
On the opposite side, however, stands out a nucleus of huts with an adjoining necropolis of tombs, located within the rocky structure in front and dating back to the full Bronze Age.
In locality Bestione Houses, however, there is a large area of ceramic fragments and lithic industry, located along the slope of Mount Gaspa, whose rocky wall is home to around fifteen tombs.
For completeness of information it is worth highlighting how the discovery in these localities of finds closely linked to the religious world has led to the assumption that the local civilization was rather advanced from a social point of view and not simply dedicated to activities aimed at mere subsistence.
Further evidence of the life that once was is also present on the top of the Mount Gaspa (specifically these are interventions certainly carried out by man of a religious nature) as well as near the San Rocco district (in this case we find ourselves faced with caves which appear to have been used as stables or even as actual homes ).
Continuing on our excursion to the prehistoric village in Villarosa, we cannot fail to mention the presence of remains on the sandstone platform of Monte Giulfo which testify to the development in that area of the first urban planning system, which arose to control the agricultural districts below. Development which seems to have taken place in the XNUMXth century BC, following a long period of abandonment.
In particular, in the area above the Rocca Danzese building an anthropomorphic figure was found, engraved on the rock, representing the concept of fertility which is very dear to these areas and recalling the distinctive features typical of Greek art (as further confirmation of the process of contamination by other civilisations, which occurred concurrently with ever-increasing urbanization).
We conclude this excursus with the area of the S.Anna district, south-west of Villarosa, where a rock complex is located consisting of two very large caves, having the shape of a tholos and with the area to the north-east, compared to the same district, in which a necropolis consisting of around a hundred tombs was found.
A tradition in the mining sector
As anticipated in the introduction, prehistoric village and mining tradition are the distinctive elements of this small Enna town. The first, representing a populous community of farmers and shepherds who have inhabited these lands for years; the second, as an image of what over time has become the country's main economic resource.
It was said, in fact, that Villarosa has numerous mineral resources, especially in terms of sulfur and rock salt.
Even today the mines are a vivid memory in the minds of the inhabitants of this small town and it is no coincidence that one of the most original mining art museums in Sicily (and beyond) has been dedicated to them. This is the Museum train of Villarosa, inaugurated in 1995 thanks to the idea of the station master Primo David.
The originality essentially consists in the location: eight carriages, dating back to the period of Second World War, set up with objects from the time with the aim of immersing the guest in a past reality lived between the mine and the family.
How to get to your destination
It is clear, therefore, that a walk in Enna cannot ignore a visit to the prehistoric village of Villarosa and its museum of mining tradition.
Reaching Villarosa is very simple: by car, from Palermo and Catania, you need to take the A19 towards Catania and then exit at Enna towards Villarosa; still by car, but from Messina, you need to continue along the A18 to Catania, take the A19 to Palermo and then exit at Enna (also in this case with destination Villarosa).
- The Sheep Festival in Villarosa
- Patronal Feast of San Giacomo in Villarosa
- The Mother Church of San Giacomo Maggiore in Villarosa
- The museum train in Villarosa
