An ancient wash house for washing clothes, once used by women, a source to quench their thirst on hot summer days. In the heart of the Sicilia, in the province of Enna, among the high mountains far from the sea, there is a place that still maintains the charm and atmosphere of the past. In Leonforte, a town in the Erei mountains, there is an ancient fountain known by all as Granfonte, particular not only in its structure but also in the suggestions it contains. It is no coincidence that it is considered the fountain with 24 cannoli, or simply spouts, strictly in bronze from which fresh spring water flows. Once used as a "drinking trough" for the inhabitants of the town, today a place of memory of a past that no longer exists.
The Leonforte fountain, a bit of history
This particular and monumental fountain is made in Renaissance and Baroque style. It is located in the street that takes the name of Granfonte. Twenty-four meters long, it has a symmetrical shape and a depth of 2.55 meters. It is said that it was built around 1651, commissioned by Prince Nicolò Placido Branciforti, who was the founder of the city and from which the palace of the same name also takes its name. The prince had it built in the place where an ancient Arab fountain once stood. It is attributed to the Palermo architect Mariano Smiriglio and seems to recall, in its features, others works similar made in Sicily by Flemish artists. The Granfonte was and is loved by the inhabitants of Leonforte, so much so that it was used as a meeting place and refreshment not only for people, but also for animals. For years it is said that its water was also used to feed some fountains in the Botanical Garden.
The monumental shapes of the fountain with 24 cannoli
The Granfonte is also monumental for its shapes that recall ancient architecture of the time. It is also built in load-bearing masonry of square-cut sandstone blocks. There are sculptures in the round, low and high relief. But also engravings and decorations. In short, a masterpiece of the time, with twenty-two bottomless niches, a rounded arch roof, which allow a glimpse of the surrounding landscape. There is also a central and two lateral turrets with frames, friezes and inscriptions. Two lions on the side turrets close the entire structure.
The historical memory of a city
Symbolic place of Leonforte, this fountain is still much loved by the inhabitants of the town. In fact, many keep small artifacts at home. Over the years, numerous maintenance and consolidation interventions have been promoted, precisely in order to try to better protect the memory. In dialect it is commonly known as the large fountain with 24 cannoli, just to symbolize that characteristic shape that the spouts have from which spring water gushes.
If then you find yourself visiting Sicily among the many stops to be included there is also the Granfonte di Leonforte, a suggestive place to take some photos, which has the flavor of a time now past. And why not maybe it will also be an opportunity to visit the town in the province of Enna, rich in monuments and history to be discovered.
Photo source in evidence: The spectacular Granfonte, photo Wikipedia - Antonino Di Stefano - Own work - CC BY-SA 3.0