This medieval Sicilian town has a well-preserved 4th-century Roman villa with intricate floor mosaics. Its narrow streets lead to a Norman cathedral and baroque palaces.
Located 721 meters above sea level in central Sicily, Piazza Armerina is home to the Villa Romana del Casale, where you can walk among 3,500 square meters of intact Roman mosaics. You'll find an Aragonese castle from the 14th century in the medieval quarter, and a cathedral with a large dome visible throughout town. Each August, 600 costumed participants recreate medieval battles during the Palio dei Normanni festival.
Exploring Villa Romana del Casale
The UNESCO-listed Villa Romana del Casale sits 3 kilometers southwest of town. Inside this 4th-century Roman villa, you'll walk through rooms and corridors covered with 3,500 square meters of Roman mosaics. Look for the well-known "bikini girls" mosaic showing women exercising with dumbbells, along with detailed scenes of hunting expeditions, mythological tales, and daily Roman life. A modern glass and steel structure keeps the mosaics protected from rain and sun damage.
Religious Architecture
The cathedral stands in Piazza del Duomo, its dome completed in 1768. A 15th-century bell tower rises from one side, while Catalan-Gothic windows line the left wall. Step inside to see the Byzantine icon Madonna della Vittoria and a two-sided crucifix. Visit the 14th-century San Giovanni Evangelista church to see frescoes by Guglielmo Borremans, and stop at Sant'Anna church to examine its curved Baroque façade influenced by Borromini's architectural style.
Medieval Quarter and Castle
Walk through Il Monte district to see the square Aragonese Castle, built between 1392 and 1396. The narrow streets behind the cathedral lead to Renaissance and Baroque mansions, including Palazzo Trigona. In the lower Canali district, you can still see the medieval water system with its four stone fountains.
Palio dei Normanni Festival
From August 12-14, 600 participants in medieval costumes fill the streets for the Palio dei Normanni. During this three-day festival, watch knights from four town districts compete in the Quintana equestrian games. The program includes daily parades through medieval streets and battle reenactments.
Getting Around
Three bus companies - AST, Etna Trasporti, and SAIS Autolinee - connect Piazza Armerina to major Sicilian cities. From May to September, CSA Tours runs regular buses between the town center and Villa Romana del Casale. For train connections, head to stations in Enna, Caltanissetta, or Caltagirone, where you can catch buses to Piazza Armerina.
Local Food
Stop at cafes throughout town for granite alla fragola con panna (strawberry and cream granita), a local summer specialty. Restaurants along Via Cavour serve traditional Sicilian dishes made with ingredients from nearby farms.
