Leonforte

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Leonforte
Liunforti
Comune
Comune di Leonforte
Granfonte
Granfonte
Location of Leonforte
Leonforte is located in Italy
Leonforte
Leonforte
Location of Leonforte in Italy
Coordinates: 37°38′30″N 14°23′45″E / 37.64167°N 14.39583°E / 37.64167; 14.39583Coordinates: 37°38′30″N 14°23′45″E / 37.64167°N 14.39583°E / 37.64167; 14.39583
CountryItaly
RegionSicily
ProvinceEnna (EN)
Government
 • MayorSalvatore Barbera
Area
[1]
 • Total84.39 km2 (32.58 sq mi)
Elevation
603 m (1,978 ft)
Population
 (30 November 2017)[2]
 • Total13,117
 • Density160/km2 (400/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Leonfortesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
94013
Dialing code0935
Patron saintMadonna del Carmelo
Saint dayAugust 16
WebsiteOfficial website

Leonforte (Liunforti in sicilian) is an Italian comune with a population of 14,046[3] 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 Byzantine period of Sicily, and later under the Muslim Emirate of Sicily, 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 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.

Main sights[]

  • Chiesa Madre (mother church)
  • Capuchin church and convent (mausoleum that houses the sarcophagus of Princess Caterina Branciforte, who died in 1634, and a painting by Pietro Novelli, depicting The Election of Matthias to the Apostolate
  • Church of Madonna del Carmelo
  • Granfonte (Fountain)
  • Palazzo Branciforti
  • Castello di Tavi

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%.[4] 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. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Statistiche demografiche ISTAT".
  4. ^ "Leonforte - Mercato del lavoro | Disoccupazione".

Sources[]

  • Giovanni Mazzola, Notizie Storiche sulla vetusta Tavaca e sulla Moderna Leonforte, Tipografia Editrice del Lavoro, 1924
  • Domenico Ligresti, Leonforte: un paese nuovo, in «Archivio Storico per la Sicilia Orientale» a. LXXIV, 1978, I pp. 89–118
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