From Filiporto to the Anapo Valley: itinerary to discover the necropolis of Pantalica
GRAND TOUR BLOG | 25 November 2020
From here, continuing along a path, passing by South necropolis, you return to the starting point: Saddle of Filiporto.
From Filiporto to the Anapo Valley: itinerary to discover the necropolis of Pantalica
Pantalica: an oasis of tranquility
Pantalica is an archaeological site in the province of Syracuse.
It is located above a plateau surrounded by canyons that were formed with rivers Anapo e Calcinara.
The plateau and the valleys (Anapo Valley) they are naturalistic areas: a Giarranauti there is also a wood.
The Anapo Valley can be crossed by the passages of: Sortino, Ferla e Saddle of Filiporto.
The itinerary from Filiporto to the Anapo valley
It starts from Saddle of Filiporto, continue along a path that runs along the plain, then for the gorge of the Anapo you get to Filiporto village (it is a Byzantine village with cave dwellings) and finally we reachOratory of S. Micidiario.
From this point, for about 1 km., proceed until you reach the south necropolis (9-8 sec. a.C ): the most recent necropolis which owns approx 700 tombs including the great ones tombe a camera.
After 100 mt. there is the Byzantine rock church of S. Nicolicchio: coming back, after about 400 mt., you arrive atAnaktoron (Prince's Palace). It is a large block construction with rectangular rooms. E’ a construction of the first period of Pantalica (XII-XI sec a.C.): today there are only the blocks of the foundation that show the importance of the construction at that time.
Moreover, starting from Saddle of Filiporto, and continuing on the asphalted road to the left, you can see the North West necropolis (XIII – XII sec. a.C). It extends along the valley of the Sperone stream until the confluence of the river Calcinara: are present beyond 600 grave. Continuing on the same road you will find the North Necropolis (XIII-XII sec. a.C).
Continuing along the paved path to the right, about 2 km. from the Sella di Filipporto you reach a small bridge, which is located on a hollow (the Weather in Cavetta), while in a small street on the right you reach its belvedere.
At the end of the paved road, turning into a small street you go towards the Calcinara Valley: in front you can see the Grotta dei Pipistrelli (the largest natural cavity of Pantalica).
Crossing the bridge on a path to the left, you go towards the Byzantine village of Cavetta and you will reach the end of the road.
Continuing towards the direction of the North Necropolis there is a group of Byzantine dwellings and a rock church of Byzantine origin called The Grotto of the Crucifix.
