Unusual Italian town of Centuripe remarkably resembles a starfish

(Patria) - Centuripe is an ancient town covering about 173 square kilometres in the Italian province of Enna in eastern Sicily.

It is first mentioned in historical records as a town of the Siculi tribe as early as the 5th century BC.

Throughout history, it has faced intense invasions and conquests – it was claimed by the ancient Greeks and Romans, Arabs, Normans and Angevins, reports Punkufer.hr.

Centuripe is situated between the Dittaino and Simeto rivers on hilly terrain, at an altitude of about 730 metres.

Experts say that the uneven terrain is the main "culprit" for its unusual shape, which you will only notice when viewed from a bird's-eye perspective.

In aerial photographs of Centuripe, you can see how the town centre spreads out into five different branches.

Some commentators therefore compare it to a starfish, while others see a monumental man with arms and legs outstretched.

If you find yourself in this Sicilian gem, be sure to explore its special features – from the remains of fortified walls surrounding the town, to several old churches, to the Museo archeologico regionale di Centuripie, which guards the secrets of this area.

From Centuripe, you can also enjoy a stunning view of the highest volcano in Europe – Mount Etna – which rises to a height of about 3,354 metres.