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

Noto Antica - Cava Carosello - Fiume Asinaro

Noto Antica is the original location of the town until it was destroyed by the devastating earthquake of 1693. The city was finally abandoned and rebuilt about 14 km further down the hill, closer to the coast. You can see the ruins of the old churches, remains of the tower with the annexed prison (with graffiti from the prisoners), sanctuaries of the Greek period, tanneries of the Arab period and tombs of the late bronze age. There is an ancient trail that leads from the city down to the river Asinaro where you can see the caves used as tanneries. 

Impressive walls of the fortified city - Porta Montagna (mountain gate)

Cava Carosello

ancient trail from the city to the valley of the river Asinaro

Tombs of the late bronze age later transformed into housings and stables

Caves that have been used as tanneries during the Arab period

Tanneries of the Arab period

to the old mill and tanneries

Friendly company on our way back up