Morgantina Archaeological Site in Aidone

History of the Morgantina Aidone archaeological site

Archaeological area of ​​the Hellenistic era, human settlement inhabited since prehistory, stage for today's theatrical performances in the heart of Sicily: the archaeological site of Morgantina Aidone is, among other things, inserted in a natural panorama of not negligible beauty, in the plain of the Citadel mountain, which is part of the Free Municipal Consortium of Enna.
Here are found artifacts dating back to over 2000 years before Christ, perfectly preserved remains of the city of Morgantina, such as the theater and the agora, ancient inscriptions, fountains and mosaics from the Greek era.
The site also has artifacts dating back toBronze Age, but already in prehistoric times our ancestors had chosen this place in the center of Sicily as a base for their settlements.
The first to permanently inhabit the plain were the Sicani, who lived from agriculture and handicrafts; later this population was driven out by Sicilians which, according to legend, led by king Morgete, founded the city of Morgantinain the X century. Then came the XNUMXth century Greek, who continued a peaceful coexistence with the Sicilians, as evidenced by the fusion of the divinities also in the funerary finds found on the site.
Following the conquest of Romans and until the time of the birth of Christ, Morgantina remained an important commercial hub especially for the traffic of terracotta pots, to then see its importance reduced in the Middle Agesuntil it is forgotten.
The remains of the acropolis and all the wonders it houses were found in 1955 during one archaeological excavation organized byPrinceton University, and since then the site has been known as one of the most important archaeological finds in Sicily.
For years Italy e America they fought over the right to display one of the site's most interesting finds, the statue of the Venus of Morgantina, which is currently located at the Archaeological Museum of Aidone.

Architecture and works at the Morgantina Aidone archaeological site

The entire archaeological area of ​​Morgantina covers an area of ​​about 3 square km.
The architectural structures and priceless artistic beauties found on the Morgantina site cannot all be described, because they are numerous and deserving of a live visit; it will suffice to recall just a few of the finds, to ignite the curiosity of archeology enthusiasts:
- The Agora, i.e. the main center of city life in ancient times Greece
- Il Teatro, dedicated to Dionysus, god of plant life full of charm and mystery
- The Roman Macellum and the part of the city reserved for housing
Among the other marvels that can be admired while walking in the archaeological area, there are the remains of fountains, sanctuaries, sacred enclosures, still preserved brick walls, which served to contain the harvest for the city's granaries.
The polis branched off around a wide cobbled street, still visible, along the sides of which stood the public buildings of the Hellenistic Morgantina, dominated by the agora, the square divided into an upper and lower zone. In the upper part are the arcades, while in the lower part the theater in its horseshoe shape, dating back to the XNUMXrd century, is still visible. The Sanctuary in honour of Demeter and Kore, protectors of the city, is instead largely made up of two courtyards with tanks for purification.
Houses, shops, fountains and furnaces are still visible together with the silver coins found on the site, which help to tell the story and the myth and help to date the events more precisely.

What can be done inside the archaeological site of Morgantina in Aidone and in the surrounding area

The archaeological site of Morgantina in Aidone is open to the public and can be visited at different times of the year. In the month of August, then, you can participate in an extraordinary event organized within the archaeological site, which is called Morgantina Relives and which stages the stories of mythology, right there where the culture in which they were born lived.
For a truly complete visit and even more in-depth knowledge, you can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Aidone, where among other finds, the Venus of Morgantina is kept, a statue from the XNUMXth century BC representing the goddess Demeter.
The archaeological site closes at 18.00, but before organizing a visit it is advisable to call the Park directly, to check the opening times.

How is it possible to get to the archaeological site of Morgantina in Aidone

Morgantina is located in the Free Municipal Consortium of Enna, about 35 km away from Enna and just 3,8 km from Aidone.
The position of the valley, central on the island, allows tourists and Sicilians to easily reach the beautiful archaeological site, above all thanks to the motorway and the railway.
By car, Morgantina can be reached by taking the Palermo-Catania motorway, up to the Enna exit.
By train, get off at Caltanissetta Central Station, where there is a stop for buses heading to Aidone, or you can take the private shuttle to your destination.