Amid myth and history, this day guided tour focuses on three classic sites in the area of Western Madonie.
You will start from the Grotte della Gurfa in Alia, visiting this multi-storey rocky site and discovering the diverse and fascinating interpretations about it.
Then, crossing the Torto river valley you will get to the ancient Greek trading city of Himera, founded by Zancle in 648 BC, which today is an archaeological park. This site was also famous in ancient literature as the scene of one of the crucial moments of the history of Greek Sicily: the Battle of Himera (480 BC), known as the great victory of the allied armies of Syracuse and Agrigento against the Carthaginians. Some archaeological evidence of this historic milestone includes the remains of the Temple of Victory and the amazing recent discoveries of the mass graves of soldiers and their horses. The temple was built to celebrate victory against the enemies. Within the park, you will also enjoy the interesting Museum Pirro Marconi and the visitor centre, rich in multimedia devices, useful to better understand the site’s history and its legendary battle.
In the afternoon, you will visit the medieval hamlet of Caccamo which, located at over 500 metres above sea level, overlooks the surrounding landscape. The village is characterized by narrow streets, many monuments, churches and its famous medieval castle. It was built in the 12th century by the knight Matteo Bonello and renovated over the centuries by the castellans Chiaramonte, Prades, Amato and De Spuches. By examining the various construction phases, you will appreciate the vastness of the castle, the calibre of preservation and the captivating architectural features.
