THE PUBLIC WASH HOUSE IN ENNA (SICILY)

Posted on by Ettore Grillo

The public washhouse is located in a place called “Papardura”, near one of the seven gates to Enna. Of course, nobody uses it anymore.

According to legend, the name Papardura comes from Pope Urban who passed through this gate when he visited Enna. Others think that the place was so named because  the area was rich in spring waters.

A long time ago, the washhouse was swarming with housewives washing their clothes. They used ash to clean them and also a chemical called lye.

Near the washhouse there is a drinking trough. Donkeys and mules used to quench their thirst there. People also drank from the small conduits that supplied the drinking trough. Although eroded by time, the coat of arms of the city of Enna is still visible on the wall above the drinking trough.

Can you imagine life back then? There were no washing machines or other kinds of appliances in the houses. Was it better then or now? I can only say that life was different.

Ettore Grillo author of these books:

– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily

– A Hidden Sicilian History

– The Vibrations of Words

– Travels of the Mind

http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregrillo

THE SECRET UNDERGROUND PASSAGE UNDER THE TOWER OF FREDERICK II OF SWABIA

Posted on by Ettore Grillo

Under the tower of Frederick II of Swabia, in Enna, Sicily, there is an underground passage that no one knows where it leads or where it ends.

Some people from my hometown of Enna claim that the underground passage was used to connect the tower to the Castle of Lombardy, which was also built by Frederick II and is at least a kilometer away. However, there is no evidence of this. It might just be town talk.

The fact is that nobody ever dared to walk through the underground passage. Where could it lead?

The answer is just one: the Tower of Frederic II of Swabia in Enna is shrouded in mystery, like Castel Del Monte in Puglia. Both were built by Frederick II of Swabia on an octagonal plan and had no military function. It is said that Castel Del Monte is a huge safe to enclose a legendary object: the Holy Grail. Could the underground passage under the Tower of Frederick II of Swabia in Enna also hide something?

Ettore Grillo author of these books:

– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily

– A Hidden Sicilian History

– The Vibrations of Words

– Travels of the Mind

http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregrillo

THE THEATER CLOSEST TO THE STARS

Posted on by Ettore Grillo

The plateau on which Enna stands is not completely flat. There are three areas that are a bit elevated and gently slope down to the center of the city. Seen from above, the area looks like a triangle. On one tip is an old castle called il Castello di Lombardia (the Castle of Lombardy), which is still accessible, even though a few towers have fallen into ruin. On the other tip is the Franciscan Monastery of Capuchin of Montesalvo, and on the third tip is the cemetery, which lies on a hillock. In the center of the triangle is the Piazza San Francesco (Saint Francis Square) and Belvedere Marconi, the viewpoint of Enna. People stroll in these places in the evenings during the summertime, for the weather is mild and the view from Belvedere Marconi is unique. They can admire the illuminated towns as well as Mount Etna which occasionally releases fiery flashes from its central crater.

The Castle of Lombardy stands in the highest part of the city. It was a military castle. According to some authors, it took its name from the Lombard soldiers who stayed in the fortress during the Norman period. The best-preserved tower is called Pisana Tower. It was built by Frederick II of Swabia and was so named because it was manned by a garrison of soldiers from Pisa.

The Castle of Lombardy was considered impregnable. Later, it was converted first into a prison and then into an open-air theater, called the theater closest to the stars, due to its altitude. In fact, it was situated at an elevation of one thousand meters above sea level. These days, tourists come and visit the castle and climb the steps to the top of the Pisana Tower.

From up there, they can admire valleys, mountain ranges, villages, towns, Lake Pergusa, Mount Etna, and the Tower of Frederick on the other side of the city.

Ettore Grillo author of these books:

– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily

– A Hidden Sicilian History

– The Vibrations of Words

– Travels of the Mind

http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregrillo

MAYFLIES IN LAKE PERGUSA (SICILY)

Posted on by Ettore Grillo

Today, I took a walk around mythic Lake Pergusa. Once, it was swarming with dragonflies, butterflies, and mayflies, and the croak of the frogs was audible. These days, things are different. However, this morning, while walking near the water, to my surprise, I spotted a few mayflies.

With me was also my son who had never seen a mayfly.

“A mayfly, also called an ephemera or dayfly, is an insect that lives for a very short time, it is born in the morning and dies that same day. What would you do if you were a mayfly with only one day of life?” I asked my son.

“I would spend my day of life sending petitions to the rulers of the world, asking them not to pollute the earth, so that mayflies can survive. And what about you, Father?”

I replied, “I would spend my only day of life praying to God and asking him to make me live one more day, and then another day, and then another day, until the end of time,” I replied.  

Ettore Grillo author of these books:

– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily

– A Hidden Sicilian History

– The Vibrations of Words

– Travels of the Mind

http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregrillo

BLESSED GIROLAMO DE ANGELIS, A GREAT SICILIAN

Posted on by Ettore Grillo

An interesting thing to see in Enna (Sicily) is the skull of Blessed Girolamo de Angelis. The relic is kept in the Church of Saint Marc, in the center of the city.

At the beginning of the seventeenth century, this Jesuit son of Enna  landed in  Japan to preach the Gospel. Listening to his sermons, some Japanese converted to Catholicism. However, he ran into persecution against Christians and was burned at the stake. His body was reduced to ashes except his skull which miraculously remained intact. One of his Japanese disciples collected the skull which eventually reached Enna, the birthplace of the Jesuit martyr.

Meditating for a few minutes in front of the relic of Blessed Girolamo De Angelis gives strength and the courage to make love prevail over any other feeling.

Ettore Grillo author of these books:

– November 2: The Day of the Dead in Sicily

– A Hidden Sicilian History

– The Vibrations of Words

– Travels of the Mind

http://www.amazon.com/author/ettoregrillo