Pantalica

Pantalica is one of my absolute favorite places in Sicily. It is a Nature Reserve and the Necropolis of Pantalica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

There are about 5.000 rock-cut chamber tombs dating from the 7th to the 13th centuries BC (late bronze age). 

Later, during the byzantine era, many of the tombs have been transformed into habitations and some into churches like San Nicolicchio and San Micidiario near the "sella di Filiporto", the former access point to the so-called byzantine village. Remains of frescoes are still visible in the churches.

There are several ways to visit Pantalica. This time we entered from entrance near the lovely village of Sortino.

Even in December there are flowers in bloom

friendly encounters

Early spring is the best time to visit Pantalica. Nature explodes in spring. There are colorful flowers everywhere and particularly in Pantalica you can find a vast variety of  wild orchids. Here are images from an earlier visit in spring (April). 

Orchis Italica - the "naked man"

the trail follows the former railway tracks

former railway station 

frescoes San Nicolicchio church