Ramacca Civic Archaeological Museum

The small Civic Archaeological Museum of Migrant Peoples of Ramacca is interesting to see the testimonies of the past of its territory starting fromit was prehistoric until the medieval era. In fact, all the finds are arranged following a precise temporal order and arranged, when this is possible, by discovery areas.

Undoubtedly of considerable interest is the museum itinerary dedicated to protohistory and prehistory as the significant testimonies represented by the exhibits on display are very interesting especially in the Mesolithic and Bronze Age eras.

The vast majority of the pieces on display can be traced back to the native settlement of the Mountain and is focused on a period of time starting from the end of the XNUMXth century up to the XNUMXth century BC and the result of various archaeological excavation missions that took place on site. Mainly it's about crockery which can be divided into two segments which are, native ceramics and Greek ceramics. There are also objects of common use and ornamentation.

To this base are added finds recovered in various places districts of the territory which will help the visitor to form an exhaustive picture of the various eras as well as to constitute a mapping of the areas where the sites of archaeological interest are located.

History of the "Migrant Peoples" Civic Archaeological Museum of Ramacca

Only in 1998 did the Civic Archaeological Museum of Migrant Peoples of Ramacca reopen its doors after extensive work renovation which allowed both the expansion of the exhibition hall and the creation of a warehouse space. The works made it possible to create two very distinct sections, one mineralogical and the other paleontological.

Obviously both preserve finds collected in the area. The archaeological exhibition is located in the main room and consists of the setting up of five shop windows which follow a certain temporal order. The museum sees an intense scientific activity and teaching thanks to scholars and students who offer their work completely voluntarily.

Civic Archaeological Museum of Ramacca: Architecture and works of art

As mentioned, the Civic Archaeological Museum of Migrant Peoples of Ramacca has collected the finds in five display cases. This is their content.

Showcase 1
- Ceramic fragments dating back to the XNUMXth millennium during the Copper Age from Perriere Sottano
- Ceramic fragments dating back to the XNUMXth millennium during the Neolithic from Masseria Scavo and Perriere Sottano. Also ceramics decorated with Capri Megara Iblea style paintings from Perriere Sottano.
- Flint and quartzarinite artefacts dating back to the Mesolithic and Neolithic ages from Albospino, Carrubo and Perriere Sottano.

Showcase 2
- Artifacts in flint, quartzarinite and basalt dating back to the Bronco age from Torricella and Perriere Sottano
- Ceramic fragments from the Thapsos facies
- Various ceramics dating back to the Copper Age from Palma, Torricella and Perriere Sottano
- Fragments of facies ceramics from Torricella.

Showcase 3
- Various finds such as pottery of Greek, native and colonial origin dating back to the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries BC and fragments of iron tools from the excavations of the RM house.

Showcase 4
- Various finds from excavations carried out from the Mountain such as common objects - amphorae, clay weights, millstones -, Attic black and red figure ceramics, bronze and lead objects, grave goods recovered from an archaic period chamber tomb recovered from the Eastern necropolis of the Mountain.

Showcase 5
- Votive statuettes of Demeter and Kore from the rock sanctuary, gorgonic antefixes, bronze bracelet in the shape of a serpent
- Fragments from the archaic, classical and Hellenistic periods from different districts
- Finds dating back to the Roman-imperial age recovered in various districts.
- Ceramic fragments dating back to the Middle Ages and a clay statue from the modern age.

What is possible to do near the Civic Archaeological Museum of Ramacca

The visit to Ramacca can be very interesting starting from the knowledge of Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary .
The current building was originally a warehouse of a farm joined to the sixteenth-century church of the SS. Crucifix at the time consisting only of the bell vault. The church is also notable thanks to the square turret of the bell tower, dating back to the XNUMXth century.

After visiting Ramacca, we recommend visiting nearby Palagonia which is located on the southern border of the Catania plain. Inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by a Paleolithic settlement it is characterized by beautiful buildings built at the turn of the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries in Art Nouveau and neoclassical style such as Palazzo Ponte, Palazzo Blandini, Palazzo Politini. Also interesting is theHermitage of Santa Febronia, a rock basilica dating back to the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries AD

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Militello Val di Catania, a baroque-style town that is part of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Don't miss the fourteenth-century Barresi-Branciforte Castle and the Fountain of the Nymph Zizza. Also worth visiting are the church of Santa Maria della Stella and the Mother Church of San Nicolò and the Santissimo Salvatore.

Civic Archaeological Museum of Ramacca: how to get there

By car: from Catania, take the A19 Catania-Palermo, exit at the Motta S. Anastasia junction and take state roads 192 and 288, until the junction for Ramacca.
Or along the SS 417 Catania-Gela up to the Ramacca crossroads.