Archeology

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Siracusa

Siracusa was founded by the Greeks in 733BC. The rich remains of the Neapolis Archeological Area (UNESCO World Heritage Site), established in 1955, illustrate the great economic and cultural importance of the city in the past. The most relevant ruins are: the Latomie (stone quarries) with the impressive Ear of Dyonisus and the beautiful garden of palm and citrus fruit trees; the Tomb of Archimedes, famous scientist of antiquity; and the Greek Theater (5th century BC). A visit to the Museo Archeologico Regionale “Paolo Orsi” in Syracuse will assist in fully understanding the past of this fascinating Sicilian city.

Highlights: the spectacular Greek Theater is one of the most important ancient theaters in the world. The Istituto Italiano del Dramma Antico performs plays here every other year.

Address: Via Rizzo/Via Paradiso, Siracusa
Tel.: (0931) 662 06
Web site: www.regione.sicilia.it (Italian)

Agrigento

The Valley of the Temples is one of the best kept archeological sites of the antiquity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is divided into two main areas: 1) the temples, the Garden of Kolymbetra, the Antiquaria, the early Christian Catacombs in the South; 2) the Archeological Museum, the Church of San Nicola, the Rock Sanctuary of Demeter and the Hellenistic Roman quarter in the North. The temples, all built around the 5th century BC (except for the Temple of Heracles, erected in the 6th century BC), are dedicated to Greek divinities: Olympian Zeus, Heracles, Concord and Hera. All the temples were burnt by the Carthaginians and later restored by the Romans.

Highlights: the majestic Temple of Concord is one of the best preserved and finest Doric temples in the world.
Address: Passeggiata Archeologica, Agrigento
Tel.: (0922) 49 72 26
Web site: www.regione.sicilia.it (Italian)

Selinunte (Trapani)

Located on the southwest coast of Sicily in the province of Trapani, Selinunte was founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC. Its name comes from the word selinon, which means wild fennel, a widely common plant throughout the area. Selinunte flourished for two centuries under Greek domination. Although Agrigento counts better preserved Greek temples, Selinunte boasts more temples, all identified by letter. The setting over the Mediterranean Sea gives to the archeological ruins a unique display for a suggestive and breathtaking experience.

Highlights: Temple G (530BC) is the largest of the trio (F, E, G) and Temple C is the most discernible of five (A, B, C, D, and O). Some of the metopes (stone carved panels) of Temple E are on display at the Museo Archeologico Regionale “Antonino Salinas” in Palermo.

Address: Zona Archeologica, Selinunte (Trapani)
Web site: www.regione.sicilia.it (Italian)

Segesta (Trapani)

Segesta was founded by the indigenous tribe of the Elymians. This archeological site, with its Doric temple (430/420BC) and an amphitheater, is one of the best preserved to be found anywhere. The temple is located on the top of a slope in a pristine countryside, away from virtually any modern construction. The amphitheater stands on the slopes of Monte Barbaro. A convenient shuttle service takes tourists to and from the amphitheater.

Highlights: Temple of Segesta and amphitheater.

Address: Zona Archeologica, Segesta (Trapani)
Web site: www.regione.sicilia.it (Italian)

Taormina (Messina)

Taormina is Sicily’s most renowned resort. Located in the province of Messina, it hosts a magnificent amphitheater with a breathtaking view of Mount Etna in the background. The theater, built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC and remodeled by the Romans, is still used today and hosts the famous Taormina Film Festival. A much smaller Roman theater, the Odeon, is to be found near the Church of Santa Caterina.

Highlights: the Greek-Roman amphitheater.

Address: Via Teatro Greco, Taormina (Messina)
Web site: www.regione.sicilia.it (Italian)

Villa Romana del Casale, Piazza Armerina (Enna)

This luxury villa was built at the end of the 3rd century AD. Its floor is almost entirely covered with beautiful and detailed mosaics with scenes of everyday life and divinities. It is the richest and largest collection of late Roman mosaics in the world. The Villa Romana del Casale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The villa burnt and was covered by a flood around 1161. It was discovered in the 18th century.

Highlights: the frigidarium (the cold bath room); the Hall of the Female Gymnasts in Bikinis; corridor with hunting scenes; the Myth of Airon.

Address: Piazza Armerina (Enna)
Località Casale
Tel.: (0935) 568 00 36
Fax: (0935) 68 71 83
Web site: www.villaromanadelcasale.it

Morgantina, Aidone (Enna)

Morgantina was founded by King Morges in the 12th century BC. Six centuries later, the Greeks colonized the city that was destroyed by the Romans during the Punic Wars in 211 BC. Morgantina was rebuilt by the Romans and became a prosperous city, but was abandoned around 30 BC for uncertain reasons.

Highlights: the Amphitheater (3rd Century BC); ruins of a temple dedicated to Demeter and Kore.

Address: Aidone (Enna)
Web site: www.regione.sicilia.it (Italian)

Motya (Trapani)

Motya, founded by the Carthaginians in the 8th century BC, is situated in the small island of Mozia south of Trapani and north from the coast of Marsala. Dionysus the Elder, tyrant of Syracuse, sacked the town in 398 BC.

Highlights: the Cappiddazzu Sanctuary (7th BC); the old city walls.

Address: Motya, Trapani
Tel.: (0923) 71 25 98

Giardini-Naxos (Messina)

The town of Naxos was founded in 734 BC. Destroyed by Dionysus in 403 BC, it lost its importance and turned into a small village. Nowadays, visitors can still see some of the ruins of the Apollo Archegetes temple and the city walls. A nearby museum holds artifacts of the classic age.

Highlights: ruins of the classic age in the Archeological Park.

Address: Giardini Naxos (Messina), Via Lungomare Schisò
Tel. & Fax: (0942) 510 01
Web site: www.regione.sicilia.it

Tyndaris (Messina)

Tyndaris, founded by Dyonisus in 396 BC, was one of the last Greek colonies in Sicily. It was invaded by the Carthaginians led by Hannibal in 264 BC and rebuilt by the Romans ten years later. The beauty of Tyndaris is still present in its ruins. The Greek-Roman theater with its spectacular setting over the Tyrrhenian Sea is used for shows and plays in the summertime.

Highlights: Greek-Roman Theater (5th century BC) and Agorà (1st century BC) .

Address: Zona Archeologica, Tindari (Messina)
Tel.: (0921) 42 15 47
Web site: www.regione.sicilia.it (Italian)

Lipari (Messina)

Lipari is the largest island of the Aeolian Islands (UNESCO World Heritage Site), off of the northeast coast of Sicily in the Messina province. It boasts an Archeological Museum with a castle and an archeological park in the back. The oldest part of the castle was built by the Greeks.

Highlights: classic archeological section of the museum; submarine archeology.

Address: Via del Castello, Lipari (Messina)
Tel.: (090) 988 01 74/988 05 94
Fax: (090) 98 80 17
Web site: www.regione.sicilia.it (Italian)

Pantalica (Siracusa)

The Necropolis of Pantalica contains over 5,000 tombs carved into the rocks near open stone quarries, most of them dating from the 13th to 7th century BC. Pantalica was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Highlights: the Necropolis.

Address: Zona Archeologica, Pantalica (Siracusa)

Solunto, Bagheria (Palermo)

Located east of Palermo, Solunto was founded in the 7th century BC and expanded by the Greeks in 396BC. Conquered by the Romans, the town was abandoned for unknown reasons in the 3rd century AD.

Highlights: Roman ruins overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Address: Solunto, Bagheria (Palermo)