Culture
"Vendicari"-nature and archaeological itinerary
The proposed route extends throughout the entire Gulf of Noto, from Noto Marina, along 15 km of beach, the coast is mostly sandy, alternating with cliffs. The area is also rich in archaeological monuments and places to visit, with the nearby Eloro, the remains of the Roman Villa of Tellaro.
On the regional road Noto-Pachino you get to the oasis of Vendicari, enclosed with its wetlands and natural features of great interest; the human presence is witnessed here by old salt mines and the abandoned tuna factory, and the medieval tower dating back to around 1400.
After few kilometers you’ll encounter San Lorenzo’s resort which is followed by Marzamemi, a small fishing village built around the tuna processing plant in the 19th century. Time required: 1 day. Km: 30.
"Cava Grande" - nature itinerary
Towards north after Avola (km18), on the road to Avola Antica, we reach the observation point overlooking the Cava Grande. The view that you can enjoy is fantastic, you can admire the sea up to the volcano Etna.
The cave is 250 meters deep and about 10 kilometers long, from the observation point you should immediately feast your eyes on the beautiful lakes created by the river Cassibile.
Going down a path you can reach the lake, and in summer you can swim in the clear and fresh waters.
There are numerous and varied species of plants that can be found including thyme, sage, orchids.
Time required: 1 day. Km: 48.
AKRAI - archaeological itinerary
The archaeological site is located in Palazzolo Akrai Acreide (45 km). Walking along the road that leads from Noto to Palazzolo , a few meters from the entrance , the visitors can see a Greek theater, the most notable monument of the area, oriented to the north, with twelve rows of seats (totally 700 seats). You can also have a look at the remains of a Byzantine age mill .
Other buildings to visit are: the Temple of Aphrodite, located above the theater, the Acrensi walls, and behind the theater the Le Latomie (gr. litos=stone and temnos=cut), antique Greek stone mines. The Intagliata is the largest of these Latomie. It is of elliptical shape and is accessed through a door, still clearly visible, placed under the theater.
The Ferali Temples , just outside the city, are the third significant latomia.
The Necropolis of Pinita is the most striking monument of prehistoric life in Palazzolo. It consists of 54 crypts in man-made caves and oval-shaped opening on the existing vertical rock, clearly visible from the street below.
The Greek and the Hellenistic necropolis can be found in Torre Judica respectively in Colleorbo.
I Santoni is located beyond the present town of Palazzolo Acreide towards Noto. Time required: 1 day. Total Km approximately: 100.
CALTAGIRONE – baroque itinerary
Caltagirone is situated at 611 meters on the top of the Erei mountains that rise from the center of Sicily towards the south-east, extending towards the Iblei mountains. The city with approximately 39,000 inhabitants is the second largest in the province of Catania. Its ancient origins are attested by numismatic and art exhibitions and documents that reveal it as one of the many Sican, Sicilian or Sicilian – Greek cities .
The monumental testimony of the remote human presence in the area is the prehistoric necropolis. Today the city is well known for its precious pottery ,the craft workshops of potters being located along the main alleys of the little town. Time required: 1 day. Total Km approximately: 230.
"UNESCO" Baroque City itinerary
The Baroque centers of the towns of Modica, Scicli, Ispica, and Ragusa Ibla are easily accessible along barely crowded roads. The overall astonishing impression of the town Modica is coming from the upper part of the city is: a steep road crowded with houses on both sides, baroque palaces and churches on the hill ,with climbing staircases and alleys between the streets up to "pizzo" ,the peak, with a breathtaking view over the whole baroque town once the capital of the "County."
Scicli extends over a large plain embedded within three narrow valleys ,called "pits" dug by torrential streams. Its origins are very ancient and dates back probably to the Siculian period about three thousand years ago.
Ragusa is situated in the southern part of the Iblei mountains and is the seventh municipality in the area by number of inhabitants. It is the richest municipality of the island and the most prosperous of the South. It is called the "City of Bridges" because of the presence of three very picturesque structures, but it was also defined by writers, artists and economists as the "island within the island" or "the other Sicily”, thanks to its history and the socio-economical context , very different from the rest of the island. Time required: 1 day. Total Km: 100.
“Valle dell’Anapo e Pantalica”- naturalistic itinerary
Among the Iblei mountains embed themselves the 'Anapo and Pantalica valleys, two natural oasis of rare beauty.
The Anapo Valley, is a privileged place where you’ll witness a harmonious blend of environment, landscape, history and culture. In this area, of rich and diverse flora and fauna, you will find Pantalica, the largest necropolis in the Mediterranean with its 5000 tombs, man-made caves, offering home to some scholars of the ancient siculian town of Hybla .
Of particular importance is l’Anacktoron (palace of the prince) dating from the twelfth century BC. After the Greek and Roman domination ,the town came to flourish in the Byzantine era: the Islamic conquest meant the end of Pantalica. Time required: 1 day. Total Km: 100.
Castelluccio -Archeological itinerary
Along the road to Palazzolo from Noto, the road turns to the left, towards the former stronghold of Castelluccio. On this site there is an establishment of a prehistoric village on the saddle of the rocky outcrop from the Ancient Bronze Age. On either side of the mountain a vast necropolis opens up with interesting tombs carved artificially where according to the rite of time, the dead were buried with funerals. It is worth visiting the grave with pillars along the rocky coast below the site of the village, which is probably the tomb of a village leader.
Opposite the gate of the excavation, a ladder leads to the Cave of the Saints. The cave, carved in the Byzantine period, has a circular shape with a central pillar that holds up the 2 m high ceiling. Inside there is a pictorial cycle painted from the eighth until the sixteenth century. Remarkable among the pillar’s frescoes is the Madonna and Jesus Crucified. The images are faded due to the humidity of the wall. Further down you can visit the so called Cyclop`s catacomb. On its exterior there are remains of early Christian tombs.
Going back through Testa dell’Acqua towards Noto, we encounter Finocchito, a Siculian village dating from the fourth and final Siculian period (730 - 650 BC). Time needed: 5 hours. Total Km: 60.
SIRACUSA - Archeological itinerary
The important city of Syracuse is only 45 km away and can be reached easily. You can spend a whole day immersing yourself into the ancient and recent history of the Sicilian people.
The testimonies of Greek, Roman and Arab civilizations represent a mix of historical moments which are visible at the same time.
We mention just the main monuments: the Greek theater, the Roman amphitheater, the Ear of Dionysius, the Euryalus Castle, the Isle of Ortigia, the Arab neighborhoods, the temple of Apollo, the Archaeological Museum Paolo Orsi, the St. Lucia Church etc. Time required: 1-2 days. Km: 90.