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
Ettore Grillo's Blog 