The Santa Venera Al Pozzo Archaeological Area in Aci Catena

Santa Venera Al Pozzo Archaeological Area

In the province of Catania, near the town of Aci Catena, is the Archaeological Area of ​​Santa Venera al Pozzo. The area it extends for nine hectares mostly located on a green hill a few kilometers from the sea.

Surely the first settlements date back to late copper age and were originated from the presence of various thermal water springs having beneficial therapeutic properties.

History of the place

The first evidence related to the recovery of various statuettes dedicated to the cult of the Greek goddesses of nature and fertility Kore and Demeter dating back to the XNUMXth century BC they make us understand that this place was a cultural and religious centre.
In fact, the most substantial finds that can be dated to the Hellenic age are those of the House of Pithos, a construction with sacred purposes from the XNUMXth century BC built near an ancient stream that has now disappeared.

Inside the building an ovoid-shaped pithos was found within which the water of the stream was collected through a terracotta pipe built for this purpose.

The Greeks were supplanted by the Romans who called this settlement with the name of Acium, as mentioned in theItinerarium Antonini among the structures present on the road that connected it Catania to Messina.

Right in the center of the town there was a significant thermal building which was used by travelers who, during the imperial age, found themselves passing through that area and who wanted to exploit the therapeutic benefits of the waters.

The spa which extended over an area of ​​240 square meters, some rooms are still present today. Analyzing the construction techniques it is possible to decipher in three phases, the buildings that characterize the thermal plant and which start from thelate Hellenistic period and the republican one from the XNUMXst century BC up to the XNUMXth century AD

Architecture and any works of art present

In the Santa Venera al Pozzo Archaeological Area there is only the podium of a small one Roman temple, whose construction was done near the source and denotes the sacredness that was attributed to these spas.

As it is obvious to expect, over the centuries, the plant saw many renovations depending on what could be its reuse as a treatment site including a hospital.

Of the rustic vitta that once stood near the thermal baths and the road, only a few wall remains dating back to the age remain Greco-Hellenistic.
This construction, towards the end of the 37rd century AD, was reused as a sort of establishment and this can be seen from the presence of three furnaces that implement XNUMX rooms and was intended as a brick and pottery factory and remained in operation until the XNUMXth century. A.D

During the medieval period, the church of Santa Venera was built in this area, to pay homage to the cult of this saint and the memory of her miraculous healings certainly linked to the thermal waters, so much so that the'S. Venera Hospital to house sick people in need of these therapeutic waters.

Although the church had been in existence since the 1397th century, it was only two centuries later that it was dedicated to Santa Venera, as evidenced in a document dated XNUMX signed by King Martin.

The thermal center will be used until the end of the 1895th century as its pools were considered harmful because they were not very hygienic and in XNUMX they were even demolished while the waters were directed to the thermal plant of Acireale.

What is possible to do in the surroundings or inside the place

Between the end of the XNUMXth century and the early XNUMXs, thanks to funding from the EEC, specific interventions were carried out to make the Santa Venera al Pozzo Archaeological Area a veritable museum.
The tourist can visit theantiquarium built inside the former house of the Pennisi Barons of Floristella, where there is a series of archaeological finds that start from the prehistoric era up to the modern one, recovered right within this territory. The museum itinerary is designed following a precise chronology and taking into account the various archaeological excavations carried out in the various parts of the area.

How can you get to your destination

On the train
From Catania: Catania-Acireale railway section. Once in Aci Catena, follow the signs for 1,7 km
From Palermo: Palermo-Catania, Catania-Acireale sections. Once in Aci Catena, follow the signs for 1,7 km.
From Messina: Messina-Acireale section. Once in Aci Catena, follow the signs for 1,7 km.

In Car
From Catania, take the SS 114 or the A18 motorway (Acireale exit). Once in Aci Catena, follow the signs for 1,7 km.
From Messina take the A18 motorway (exit Acireale). Once in Aci Catena, follow the signs for 1,7 km.
From Palermo take the A19 highway and continue on the A18. Once in Aci Catena, follow the signs for 1,7 km.

By plane
Catania Fontanarossa Airport.