Leonforte

Leonforte
Liunforti
Comune
Comune di Leonforte

Granfonte
Leonforte

Location of Leonforte in Italy

Coordinates: 37°39′N 14°24′E / 37.650°N 14.400°E / 37.650; 14.400Coordinates: 37°39′N 14°24′E / 37.650°N 14.400°E / 37.650; 14.400
Country Italy
Region Sicily
Province / Metropolitan city Enna (EN)
Area
 • Total 83 km2 (32 sq mi)
Elevation 603 m (1,978 ft)
Population (December 31, 2004)
 • Total 14,046
 • Density 170/km2 (440/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Leonfortesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 94013
Dialing code 0935
Patron saint Madonna del Carmelo
Saint day August 16
Website Official website

Leonforte (Liunforti in sicilian) is an Italian comune with a population of 14,046[1] in the Province of Enna, Sicily. The town is situated 22 km from Enna, in the centre of the Erean Mountains at 600 metres a.s.l.

History

The ancient settlement of Tabas or Tavaca stood in the approximate location of Leonforte. During the reign of the Bizantine Empire, and later the reign of the Arabs, a castle was built with a farmhouse in its vicinity. Irrigation systems were introduced and many mills took advantage of the abundance of water. In 1610, after the reign of the Normans, Nicolò Placido Branciforti founded a city, naming it Leonforte in tribute to his family's coat of arms; a lion holding a banner with the motto in fortitudine bracchii tui.

Places of interest

Religious architecture in Leonforte includes: Chiesa Madre, Chiesa e Convento dei Padri Cappuccini (mausoleum that frames the sarcophagus of Princess Caterina Branciforte, who died in 1634. In addition, it houses a painting by Pietro Novelli, depicting the election of Matthias to the apostolate), Chiesa della Madonna del Carmelo, Chiesa di S.Stefano, Chiesa di S.Antonino, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Chiesa della Madonna della Carità, Chiesa della Mercede, Chiesa di S.Giuseppe (with frescoes), Chiesa di S.Francesco di Paola, Chiesa dell'Annunziata, Chiesa del SS.Salvatore, and Chiesa della Madonna della Catena. Civil architecture includes: Granfonte (Fontana dei 24 Cannoli), Palazzo Branciforti, Villa Comunale (Branciforti), Scuderia (Branciforti), Piazza 4 novembre, Villa Bonsignore, Giardino e Fontana delle ninfe, and Palazzo Gussio. Another historic site is the military castle, Castello di Tavi.

Society

On 31 December 2015, foreign residents in Leonforte numbered 171.[2] The most common nationalities are: Romanian (126), Chinese (11), Moroccan (7), German (5), Polish (5), Sri Lankan (3), Ukrainian (2), Russian (2), Dominican Republic (2), United States (2), Albanian (1), Bulgarian (1), United Kingdom (1), Thai (1), and Tunisian (1). Notable people linked to Leonforte include Silvio Proto and Salvo). From 18–19 March there is the Festa di San Giuseppe. On the 5th Sunday of Lent there is a procession. Soccer is the dominant sport played in Leonforte.[3][4][5][6]

Economy

The economy is largely based on agriculture. In the past century Leonforte has always had an agricultural economy with many labourers. This has made the town a stronghold for the political left. There are a few industries located within an industrial zone. Another important activity is construction work. Leonforte has one of the highest unemployment rates of the province, at 22%.[7] Leonforte is adjacent to the road Strada Statale 121 that connects Enna, Palermo, Nissoria, and Paternò. The train station is located 10 km from the centre of Leonforte.

References

  1. ↑ http://demo.istat.it/bil2015/index.html
  2. ↑ http://demo.istat.it/str2015/index.html
  3. ↑ "APD Leonfortese - Leonforte (Enna)". www.apdleonfortese.it. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  4. ↑ "Sporting Club Leonforte". www.sportingclubleonforte.it. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  5. ↑ Ipsale. "A.p.d. Città di Leonforte". www.calcioa5leonforte.it. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  6. ↑ "Branciforti Calcio". www.branciforticalcio.it. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  7. ↑

Bibliography

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