Archaeological Area of ​​Castellaccio di Lentini

Right at the feet of the Iblei Mountains opens Lentini, a town halfway between Agrigento and Catania. Rich in history and imbued with culture, Lentini originated with the Greeks about 2700 years ago and both the Romans, the Byzantines and the Normans enlarged and improved the place so much that it is still today a kind of capital ofBaroque style religious architecture.

History of the Archaeological Area of ​​Castellaccio di Lentini

In the vicinity of Lentini it is possible to see what was once the Castrum Vetus, known today as the castellaccio, a fortification that was built following faithfully the configuration of the top of the cliff that was used as a base.

The first signs of this castle date back to the Norman era which, obviously, over the centuries has changed its architectural nature through restorations and modifications that can be known through the written testimonies of the time.
In fact, Ugo Falcando reports of an earthquake that occurred in the second half of the XNUMXth century which totally destroyed the town including a fortification certainly from the Norman period of which only remains remain. You know that Frederick II of Swabia he restored it in the mid-twelfth century by building a stronghold that was subsequently modified and enlarged also to heal the damage deriving both from the battles it sustained and from the earthquakes which continued to create problems, such as the one that occurred in the first half of the sixteenth century. However, the earthquake which occurred in 1693 which destroyed entire centers such as Catania, also affected Lentini and the Castellaccio suffered irreparable collapses which decreed its state of abandonment.

Architecture and works of art present in the Archaeological Area of ​​Castellaccio di Lentini

What is known is that the Castle of Lentini was part of one fortification which laid the basis both on the actual building construction and on the conformity of the terrain such as that of Colle Tirone and Colle Lastrichello, separated by two large natural ditches cut into the cliff. The northern part is the Valley of the Crucifix while on the opposite side opens the San Mauro valley characterized by overhanging walls that isolate the complex. In fact, it was precisely on the south side that at the time it was not necessary to build any defense wall as they took advantage of what nature had created over the millennia. The situation was different on the other sides of the fortification where a parallelepiped-shaped wall was built, of which some parts are still visible.

The north side is in a very bad state also due to numerous landslides that have knocked down the walls. Recently the remains of a building with a semicircular plan have been discovered which suggests an apse, so it is appropriate to think that they refer to a chapel mentioned in some documents of the Angevin period dating back to the second half of the XIII century.

Almost at center of Castellaccio there are stairs that lead to the dungeons of the castle. The entrance is made up with a barrel vault and the hall of regular shape, has four semi-pillars that certainly held up the vault. These rest on a perimeter base that recalls that of a maniac castle. The absence of the floor and the presence of loopholes suggest that this room was connected by secret tunnels to some cave located at the base of the Castellaccio. There are also a couple of cisterns but given their low capacity it is believed that there are others buried yet to be discovered.

What you can do around the Archaeological Area of ​​Castellaccio di Lentini

Visit Lentini it is certainly a useful suggestion to deepen the exploration of this town. Don't miss the archaeological Museum which preserves historical artifacts starting from the prehistoric period up to the medieval one.
Furthermore, the Mother Church of Santa Maria la Cava and Sant'Alfio, located in the city center, is worth a visit to admire the Baroque-style cathedral.
The exploration of the Crucifix Cave, one of the most significant rock churches of the whole island.
And to relax in the middle of nature, the Lake Lentini it is certainly a pleasant place that cannot fail to be experienced.

How is it possible to get to the Archaeological Area of ​​Castellaccio in Lentini

The city of Lentini can be reached easily with your own auto from the main cities of Sicily. From Messina take the A20/E90 follow the A18 and E45 in the direction of SS114 in the direction of Carlentini and take the exit for Lentini.
From Catania, take the E45 in the direction of the SS114 in the direction of Carlentini and take the exit for Lentini.
While, from Palermo, take the E90 and follow the A19/E932 to take the E45 in the direction of the SS114 for Carlentini, exiting at Lentini.