tour in an (unpublished) corner of Sicily

A few weeks ago the “archaeological ride”. It is a short itinerary (to be done by bike) that leads to necropolis of Galera-Bagliazzo. It represents and enhances one of the unexplored places of the Selinunte Archaeological Park.

Nonetheless, curiosity, fascination and anticipation can “create” – in tourists “endowed” with good will – the goal of reaching the aforementioned area thanks to a long walk. The idea was born from the possibility of living in symbiosis with the environment, in addition to the necessary visits to fairly “known” archaeological areas.

There are several routes that lead outside the park, in an area also known for significant historical facts. It is right to go in order and let yourself be influenced by the Greek divinities, imaginary traveling companions. Once you set foot inside the Eastern Hill, you can choose between two/three options.

Adv

The first fits perfectly with the visit of Temples E, F and G including the Antiquarium and continuing the walk to reach – after a fairly steep climb – the Manuzza hill. This tiring glimpse includes the rest phase and allows, from up there, to enjoy the bizarre Sicilian colours.

In the splendid Mediterranean scenery, sky and sea merge their “natural forces” and conquer the landscapes. Two short steps and the agora becomes a visitor destination. The itinerary continues along a dirt road until reaching a farmhouse. here is the “divine” crossroads.

In the absence of a precise indication (no need to worry), the intrepid tourist can choose to continue left towards a downhill road that leads to the fortifications and, in turn, to the border with the “Triscinari” territories.

Those who opt for the right side, after an intense “gorge”, will finally be able to visit the sites set as initial objectives.

The second option – with quite a long time frame – grasps the concept of fatigue as a lifestyle. From the entrance still located on the Eastern Hill (perhaps avoiding visiting it), a slight descent leads to the asphalt that leads towards the walls with a passage/view of the Marinella Woods.

The insatiable marine scent is the perfect business card which, in the last stretch, leads straight to the Acropolis. Admiring the passage of “Selinuntian life” leads to food for historical-archaeological reflection, but the objective is to continue with the journey. After passing the central street and “its” famous twisted tree, continue along the “Macchia Mediterranea” street. The quote is personal, not instituted.

The inspiration comes from the Kolymbetra Garden. It is a stretch of approximately 150 metres. rich in vegetation. Here comes the opposite side of the agora (compared to the previous one). An “almost” circular tour and the walk continues on the dirt road towards the crossroads.

A third option is to visit the Sanctuary of Malophoros and then, after a short stretch – with a rectangular-shaped path – reach the necropolis. The last segment is the one that pervades thoughts. The environmental context – in the open countryside – contains the “noble” characteristics of the Castelvetrano plant.

Crops, mixing of colours, small artificial lakesi, plateaus and bagli. The Galera-Bagliazzo district is one step away from conquest.

Start a new itinerary, that of careful and meticulous observation. In the “beautiful” midst of the expanses, a site rich in nuances emerges. These are the works carried out by the archaeologist Antonia Rallo, which involves an area of ​​approximately 4000 m². During the excavations conducted between 1974 and 1982, a large strip of settlement from the archaic and classical periods was found under a reconstruction phase from the 4th century and a necropolis from the Hellenistic period.

Research has shown how an integral part of the Greek city was strongly compromised by the Carthaginian attack and subsequently transformed according to new needs and circumstances. The same phenomena were observed during the investigations of the German Archaeological Institute, directed by Dieter Mertens, in late classical and Hellenistic fortifications.

Of particular interest is a fortifying wall from the end of the 5th century. BC which crosses the Manuzza plateau north of the Greek agora and divides the town of the archaic-classical period in half. This wall, in use only for a short period with a defensive function, seems to have also served as a limit for the Hellenistic settlement.

The “historical” moments of the excavations are highlighted – in five phases. It marks a possible point of a first construction phase identifiable only on a limited space and can be dated to the beginning of the 6th century BC. A phase of development of the architectural structures and housing infrastructure during the second half of the 6th and 5th century BC is highlighted.

The violent destruction of the structures in question, probably during the Carthaginian attack with plunder of the ruins. And, finally, the reuse phase of the construction complex in the first half of the 4th century BC and the transformation of the area into Hellenistic necropolis.

Despite the description, the contents are quite broad and should be explored in depth in the appropriate places. The journey continues and – reached Casa Paola – after passing a gate (delimiting the boundaries with the park), about 300 meters away, the necropolis of Galera-Bagliazzo.

Before reaching it, on our left there is a plateau: the Timpone Cotellesi. The story tells of a martyrdom that took place in those areas. A few meters of walking, a few steps and finally the last objective (the necropolis) is reached! Already in the 16th century it was identified by Tommaso Fazello. It was connected to Manuzza by a wide road (parts visible).

The burials are located on the top of the hill and on the slopes. The depositions are of the “inhumation” type inside tombs dug into the tuff or through pits lined and covered with tuff slabs. Many of them have a double bottom and also two niches, while others have a pyramidal chamber. Some of them have been violated.

While fatigue takes over while waiting for the return, the gaze turns towards a dilapidated building. It looks like a farmhouse like many others, almost completely collapsed. The signs of carelessness are felt.

Instead – way back in 1882 – a child named Benedetto Prussiano, during the “usual” work in the agricultural fields, found one of the most important statuettes of the Greek period: the Ephebe. A story told by many authors and which today, after a long effort, becomes the symbol of an archaeological park shrouded in many mysteries.