Archaeological sites in Ragusa

Sicilian Archaeological Treasures

This collection spans millennia of Sicilian history, featuring significant Greek colonies like Kamarina and Casmenae alongside the sprawling rocky settlements of Cava d'Ispica. The list includes Byzantine catacombs, prehistoric necropolises, and the ruins of Kaukana, a late-antique maritime settlement. These sites showcase the architectural evolution of the Hyblaean region, from Bronze Age rock-cut tombs to the defensive structures of coastal towers and the religious caves of the early Christian era.

Sicilian Archaeological Treasures — Map

Public domain

A

City of Modica

Modica is a city and comune of 54,456 inhabitants in the Province of Ragusa, Sicily, southern Italy.

B

Grotta di San Nicola

Part of the Cava d'Ispica complex, this rock-cut cave contains traces of Byzantine frescoes.

Atossa / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Archaeological Area Cava d'Ispica

Cava d'Ispica is a nature reserve and archaeological site located in-between the towns of Modica and Ispica, in the southeastern part of…

LeZibou / CC-BY-SA-3.0

D

Kamarina

Kamarina or Camarina was an ancient city on the southern coast of Sicily in Magna Graecia.

E

Chiesa di San Matteo

The ruined former cathedral of Scicli, located on a hill overlooking the town; abandoned after the 1693 earthquake.

Davide Mauro / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Grotta dei Santi

Byzantine rock-cut sanctuary in Cava d'Ispica featuring frescoes depicting 36 figures of saints.

Davide Mauro / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Grotta della Signora

A natural cave in Cava d'Ispica used as an ancient place of worship, notable for its early graffiti and inscriptions.

H

Torre di Mezzo

Coastal defense tower ruins located between Santa Croce Camerina and Marina di Ragusa.

I

Parco Forza

Archaeological area at the southern end of Cava d'Ispica, containing the ruins of the medieval Fortilitium.

J

Catacombe di San Marco

Extensive early Christian burial complex near Ispica, the second largest of its kind in southeastern Sicily.

K

Il Castello

Rock-cut multi-story structure within Cava d'Ispica, likely used as a fortified dwelling or granary.

L

Tomba a finti pilastri

Prehistoric tomb in Cava d'Ispica featuring decorative rock-cut pilasters on its facade.

Davide Mauro / CC BY-SA 4.0

M

Casmenae

Casmenae or Kasmenai was an ancient Greek colony of Magna Graecia located on the Hyblaean Mountains, founded in 644 BC by the Syracusans at…

Gabriele Azzaro / CC BY-SA 4.0

N

Kaukana

Kaukana, also spelled Caucana, is a hamlet of Santa Croce Camerina, a municipality in the Province of Ragusa, Sicily, Italy.

Gabriele Azzaro / CC BY-SA 4.0

O

Kaukana

Kaukana, also spelled Caucana, is a hamlet of Santa Croce Camerina, a municipality in the Province of Ragusa, Sicily, Italy.

P

Grotta delle Trabacche

Large Roman and Byzantine hypogeum near Ragusa, featuring monumental rock-cut sarcophagi.

Q

Castiglione

Site of an ancient Sikel settlement dating back to the 6th century BC, located on a plateau near Ragusa.

R

Tempio di Atena

Remains of a 5th-century BC Doric temple located within the archaeological park of Kamarina.

S

Parco Archeologico di Kamarina

Archaeological site of an important ancient Greek colony, featuring city walls, a temple, and an on-site museum.

T

Casa dell'altare

Remains of a Hellenistic-era private residence in the ancient city of Kamarina.

U

Agorà di Levante

Eastern section of the ancient marketplace in the Greek colony of Kamarina.

V

Molino Vecchio

Ruins of an old water mill located in the rural landscape of the Ragusa province.

W

Hypogeum

Underground rock-cut chamber or burial site.

X

Scornavacche

Site of an ancient Greek settlement and pottery production center near Chiaramonte Gulfi.

Y

Polveriera mineraria

Ruins of a former mining powder magazine in the Modica area.

Z

Ex Molino Canonico

Ruins of a historic water mill in the Giarratana area.

Castiglione

Ancient Sikel settlement site near Ragusa with remains of fortifications and dwellings.

Poggio Bidini

Archaeological site near Acate with remains of a prehistoric settlement and Bronze Age tombs.

Kaukana

Late-antique maritime settlement featuring the ruins of a 4th-century church and residential blocks.

Eremo di Sant'Ilarione

Ruined hermitage and religious site located near the Cava d'Ispica.

Necropoli Favarotta

Prehistoric burial site featuring rock-cut tombs from the Castelluccio culture.

Ipogeo di Calaforno

Unique prehistoric underground complex consisting of 35 interconnected chambers.

Molino Canonico

Ruins of a traditional water mill situated along the mountain streams.

Stoà Ovest

Remains of the western portico or covered walkway in the ancient Greek city of Kamarina.

Agorà di Ponente

Western section of the ancient public square and marketplace in Kamarina.

Catacomba di Donnafugata

Early Christian burial site located near the Donnafugata Castle estate.

Acropoli

The highest point and religious center of the ancient Greek colony of Casmenae.

Ipogeo di Cisternazzi

Rock-cut underground tomb or storage chamber dating to the late Roman or Byzantine period.

Necropoli

Ancient burial ground featuring rock-cut tombs.

Ipogeo degli Antonii

Underground rock-cut burial chamber located within the Cava d'Ispica archaeological area.

Ipogeo

Rock-cut underground chamber used for burial or storage.

Catacombe della Larderia

The largest catacomb in Cava d'Ispica, containing over 400 tombs dating from the 4th and 5th centuries.

Spezzeria

Rock-cut cave in Cava d'Ispica believed to have served as an ancient pharmacy or laboratory.

Chiesa di San Pancrati

Ruined rock-cut church in Cava d'Ispica with remains of early Christian architecture.

Necropoli

Ancient burial site consisting of rock-cut tombs carved into the limestone hills.

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