Necropoli di Pantalica & Ferla
Necropoli di Pantalica: It is one of the most important protohistoric sites in Sicily, useful for understanding the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age on the island. According to some archaeologists, it is identified with the ancient Hybla, a Siculo kingdom that from the 13th to the 8th century BC extended from the Anapo valley to Syracuse. In 2005, the site, along with the city of Syracuse, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its high historical, archaeological, speleological, and scenic profile. The necropolis contains over 5000 rock-cut tombs dating back to the period between the 13th and 7th centuries BC. From the discovery of a megalithic construction, the Anaktoron or Prince's Palace, it has been hypothesized that Pantalica was an indigenous state expressing the Sicilian civilization preceding the Greek colonization. With the increasing influence of Syracuse, the settlement and necropolis of Pantalica were abandoned. During the Byzantine domination, the necropolis system was repopulated and exploited to form villages, where some of the tombs were enlarged and became dwellings, while others were destined for a church or chapel. The landscape is as unique as it is spectacular, as it is in the heart of Pantalica that two important waterways (Anapo and Calcinara) meet and merge their force, creating incredible natural views.
Ferla: Ferla, in the province of Syracuse, is located in a natural and historical context of great value. It is a fortified medieval village built on the remains of a Hellenistic necropolis, the necropolis of Pantalica.
The Sacred Way winds through splendid palaces and religious buildings of the city, such as the Church of Carmine, the majestic Church of San Sebastiano, the Church of Sant'Antonio, and the Church of Santa Maria (where it is said that the face of Christ seems to hint at a tear or a smile, depending on the angle from which it is observed).
The Quartiere delle Carceri Vecchie dates back to the medieval period. Within this ancient quarter of prisons, the path winds through narrow streets and alleys where you can breathe the authentic atmosphere of the village, with its typical and traditional buildings, each with its small round door, the "iattaruala," for letting cats in and out, or with a small window in the door, the "giustieddu," for seeing without being seen. Old popular districts such as Castelverde and Calanconi still preserve these characteristics of old Sicily.
Here you can taste typical products of this area of Sicily such as olive oil, black and green olives, cheeses, mushrooms, sausages, cold cuts, hazelnuts, and almonds. There are also sun-dried tomatoes, fruit and vegetable preserves, and legumes. Among the sweets, there are "cassatedde," pastries filled with sweet ricotta and cinnamon, and "cavagnedde," sweets shaped like a horse or a doll, filled with crispy pasta and hard-boiled egg, as well as "sfingi" (thin, soft, and crunchy fritters) and "pagnuccata" (sweet pasta and honey balls).