Troina (gro) Two paintings by Peter Paul Rubens are the stars of an exhibition in Troina, which are currently attracting an art-interested public to the little mountain town situated over 1100 meters above sea level: First, the painting “Madonna with the Child Jesus” (above), second, “Lot with His Family Fleeing Sodom,” both created in the early 17th century. To visit the world-famous works of the Flemish master in the Torre Capitania. The tower with its grandiose exhibition rooms is located in the historic center of Troina, in via Conte Rugero.
Surrounded by Baroque painters from all over Europe.
Rubens’ two paintings are surrounded by a dozen other masterpieces of Baroque painting, created by outstanding artists from all over Europe, including Italian painters such as Scipione Pulzone and Salvatore Rosa. The Dutchman Gerrit van Honthorst, a friend of Caravaggio, is represented with his painting “St. Francis in Ecstasy” and the famous Titian with his famous portrait of Pope Paul III, on loan from the Capodimonte Museum in Naples (see the image below left).
From here Sicily was fully conquered.
The exhibition, which will remain open until the end of July, is themed “Rubens and the Painting of the Counter-Reformation,” thus recalling a bygone era. But at the same time the municipality undertakes with this art event something very essential for the present.
Because at the same time, this cultural event once again draws attention to Troina as a jewel of Sicily. From Troina, which Roger I, the first Norman ruler, made his residence in 1062, was coordinated the final victory march against the Arabs, who had previously ruled the island for over 200 years. Already with previous art exhibitions, Troina has attracted visitors from all over Italy and tourists from all parts of Europe.
Center of the first bishopric in Sicily.
Before the Arabs took over the island, Sicily had belonged to Eastern Rome, to Byzantium. Roger I ensured that Troina, which had been reclaimed for Christianity, was given a bishop and in 1081 became Sicily’s first Latin (Roman Catholic) diocese, which for a long time included the much larger Messina. Geographically, Troina, with its population of just under 10,000, is today assigned to the province of Enna. From Troina, which lies on a spur of the Monti Nebrodi, one can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of northeastern central Sicily. Over the 18 kilometers away, even smaller Bronté, the “capital of the pistachios”, the view falls straight on the 3300 meters high Etna, and with clear view one sees in the direction of the south down to the Gulf of Gela, up to the African sea.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)