Santa Maria La Vetere Archaeological Museum in Militello Val di Catania

Il archaeological Museum it was brought to attention thanks to the excavations that took place between 85 and 86 of the last century, when the housing and building structures found around the Church emerged. The houses, as can be clearly seen from the wells and hypogea dug into the rock, probably date back to the Normans. The wall frescoes also attest to the previous church, small in size, which was integrated. There are also remains, which instead date back to the fifteenth century, of some walls of a church from which it is possible to identify the plan.

Under the floor several tombs were found but also architectural fragments, coins and majolica from the seventeenth century. There nave of the church has been partly excavated, a well was discovered here. On the north side, however, the tower ruins from the XNUMXth century which, together with the Norman church, constituted a single complex where the first original nucleus of the village probably lived.

The complex is managed byLoddiero Valley Ecomuseum and is today one of the most important sites of medieval origin which gave development to the historical centre. In ancient times this was a place of worship and the area was dedicated to Santa Maria della Stella, then with the earthquake of 1693 almost everything was destroyed. The archaeological site it is still suggestive and over the years it has been transformed into an excavation site which has brought to light the history of the city. The Santa Maria La Vetere Archaeological Museum in Militello Val di Catania it is a sort of time travel between different eras and it is truly characteristic to be able to admire live the transformation that has taken place over the centuries.

La Church of Santa Maria it was built in 1090 by the Normans who had conquered the area from the Muslims. In reality this area was not chosen by chance, there was a Christian cemetery and for this reason it was thought of as a sacred place. From its foundation the church became a central point of the Borgo. It was destroyed several times and then rebuilt, until the fire of 1618 and the earthquake of 1693 which gave the final blow. Many of its parts were then used to build the new Church of Santa Maria della Stella which is located in another part of the city.

Architecture and works of art present at the Santa Maria La Vetere Archaeological Museum in Militello Val di Catania

La Church which stands in the Archaeological Museum is still today one of oldest of all Militello, in the eastern valley of the city. This is known as The Vetere to distinguish it from the homonymous one dedicated to Santa Maria della Stella which is located upstream.

The cult building was probably enlarged with Blasco II Barresi and then, with his son Antonio Pietro, the Portico called Le Pennate was built. This is evident from some details such as columns, lions and arches of different sizes. The drawings instead are from the sixteenth century, the reliefs represent the Virgin, the Prophets and other stories mainly of a religious nature. Above the arches are caryatids and large windows.

What you can do in the surroundings or inside the Santa Maria La Vetere Archaeological Museum in Militello Val di Catania

The Santa Maria La Vetere Archaeological Museum in Militello Val di Catania is located in the center of the city, so it is an ideal place to visit the whole village. Immediately nearby is the Fountain of the Nymph Zizza, a historic work, which lasted over the years, which marks an important milestone for the city because it was built when drinking water arrived. The depiction of the Nymph is suggestive and worthy of attention. Not far away is theformer prison of Militello, an ancient structure still kept in an optimal way. Very suggestive Necropolis of Santa Barbara, this area is distinctive as there were once Copper and Bronze Age villages. Near the Archaeological Museum is also located Baldanza Palace which dates back to the XNUMXth century and is truly huge with a beautiful garden. On the balconies there are many interesting representations.

How is it possible to get to the Santa Maria La Vetere Archaeological Museum in Militello Val di Catania

The Santa Maria La Vetere Archaeological Museum in Militello Val di Catania is located in Via Santa Maria. Visits are allowed every day from 10 to 13 and Saturday and Sunday also from 16 to 18. The site is closed on Monday and Wednesday.

It can be reached easily from via Raciti but the area is not prepared for the passage of buses, for this reason it is advisable to use the car or to take a walk, since it is not even a twenty minute walk from the station. This area has an open parking lot where you can stop. To be able to go back, you have to take the same road as the road to the Archaeological Museum is a dead end and it is therefore not possible to continue.