Is There Anything to See in Piazza Armerina, Sicily?

After hearing such rave reviews of Villa Romana del Casale, I just knew I had to try to visit when in Sicily. To make that happen, the easiest way to get there seemed to be from a place called Piazza Armerina. This town in central Sicily isn’t especially well-known, with bigger cities like Enna and Caltanissetta drawing most of the attention. However, this modest town does get occasional visitors who stop in as they travel to the nearby Roman site. All of this is to say that I didn’t give much thought to the town itself before visiting Piazza Armerina.

Going in blind, I had no idea whether there was any sights to see in Piazza Armerina. With a free afternoon after I arrived in town, I decided to take a peek and find out. I’ll freely admit up front that it’s not the most impressive place I saw in Sicily. But that is up against some stiff competition. In terms of character though, Piazza Armerina doesn’t disappoint and that character makes this town worth visiting, even if only briefly. 

Old Town Streets

Like so many places in Italy, Piazza Armerina has an immediately recognizable medieval look to it. There’s very little modern about the town and much of it is still made up of narrow cobblestone streets. These winding streets follow the steep hillside of Piazza Armerina, meaning you’ll get a decent work out while you explore. That’s especially true if, like me, you stay at the very, very bottom of the hill.

While loads of uphill walking may not sound like too much fun, it is how you’ll discover some of the town’s best scenery. Buildings along these streets won’t be impressive on their own, but together they create an old-fashioned atmosphere that’ll encourage you to keep wandering.

Main Square

When exploring the historical centre, you’re bound to find your way to the town’s main square. Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi is right in the heart of Piazza Armerina’s mess of streets and feels just as understated as the rest of town. It can even look more like a car park than a square for the local Town Hall. Besides the stately Town Hall, you’ll also find the Chiesa di San Rocco and some other well-cared for buildings.

Faded Palaces and Architecture

While Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi has some of the better-cared-for landmarks, it’s not representative of the entire town. Like in many places in Sicily, Piazza Armerina has its share of buildings that clearly have seen better days. That doesn’t make these landmarks any less interesting though, as you can see with the Palazzo Trigona seen above. Even though I want noteworthy landmarks like this to be preserved, I do like being able to see them a little unvarnished.

One interesting element I noticed when exploring town was a common crest on several important buildings. Sitting over the doorways on their front facades was a crest of an eagle and shield, although I can’t trace its significance. I’m guessing it relates to the Norman Kingdom of Sicily as the local coat of arms looks quite different apparently.

Piazza Armerina Cathedral

Easily the most important attraction in Piazza Armerina is the Cathedral of Saint Mary ‘delle Vittorie’. This towering cathedral rests at the highest point of town, making it virtually impossible to miss. But crawl up to its hilltop square and you’ll see that it’s also quite a pretty building.

Dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, this Baroque cathedral has some interesting design choices, like the marble façade on one side of its small tower. It might be the stone that was used, but it reminds me a lot of churches in Malta actually. Anyway, the square below is also quite nice, with tiles patterns, a nice viewpoint and local seniors chatting up a storm.

Castello Aragonese

It’s rare for a castle to be an afterthought for me, but the castle of Piazza Armerina didn’t leave much of an impression on me. You don’t really spot this landmark until it’s right in front of you, but it’s high stone walls are hard to miss. However, the Castello Aragonese seems to be privately owned now and so is not open to the public. There’s probably quite a history to this 14th-century fortress, but none that I know or that I have easily found available.

Visiting Piazza Armerina

Looking at all I’ve shown you, a few things should be obvious. Piazza Armerina clearly isn’t a place overburdened with things to do and see. But there are just enough sights to warrant a stop, even if it’s only a few hours or part of a day. Plan your sightseeing around visiting Villa Romana del Casale and think of it as an added bonus.

One thing I haven’t mentioned is that Piazza Armerina is quite a good base for visiting the ancient site. It’s only about 3km from town to the ruins, so you can even walk if you like. What’s more, there are a few bars, cafes, and restaurants in Piazza Armerina for the evening. I can particularly recommend Trattoria Al Goloso just near the main square.

Then there are the logistics of staying in Piazza Armerina. Getting here is best done by car, although there are some buses from Catania and Enna, if you can navigate Sicily’s bus network. Far more straightforward is accommodation in Piazza Armerina, with quite a selection of B&Bs, apartments and hotels available. However, I wholly recommend the family-run B&B Giucalem, where I stayed. It felt like a peaceful farm stay, and they cook a great dinner as well.

Have you heard of Piazza Armerina before or maybe even travelled through? Would you consider a stop here when in Sicily? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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