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Ispica
(By Megan C and Carla B.)
Ispica is a town in Sicily located on the south-eastern corner of the island of Sicily, at about 200 meters above sea level and six kilometers from the coast. The immediate region around Ispica is most visited for its prehistoric caves, or of course the nearby coastal resorts such as Santa Maria del Focallo or Ciriga.
Ispica is a town in Sicily located on the south-eastern corner of the island of Sicily, at about 200 meters above sea level and six kilometers from the coast. The immediate region around Ispica is most visited for its prehistoric caves, or of course the nearby coastal resorts such as Santa Maria del Focallo or Ciriga.
Alike the history of the island due do its multiple dominations in the past by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans, the history of Ispica is a fascinating aspect of this Sicilian town, though much of the information that tradition handed down to us about Ispica has been subject to important revision in recent years. We have proof that the caves of Ispica were inhabited by Sicules since Prehistory, and then also in Greek and Roman times since we found ancient roman coins there, Later on, before 827and the island being dominated by the Arabs, the context was one of drama: the extreme insecurity of the local populations due to the advance of the Arabs in Sicily turned Ispica into a "troglodytict city", with inhabitants returning to live into caves and the village of Ispica being located within the 'Cava Ispica' until 1693. After the end of the Arab rule in the 11th century, the entire south-eastern Sicily was reconquered by the Normans and the Kingdom of Sicily founded by Roger II; and Ispica became the posession of nobility. The Statella Family were the last lords of the town, marking the history of the city especially for the construction of many churches. They ruled until the 19th century, including the period of the earthquake of 1693 which marked a profound transformation of the town, which was then moved from the Cava d'Ispica to the plains outside the quarry.
Nowadays, the city has a plan that dates from the 18th century but still has as a medieval part next to a cliff where remain the ruins of a fortress said to have been the residence of the Statella Family, the so-called "Fortilitium".
Prehistoric caves at Ispica
Ispica is well known for its prehistoric caves, the main attraction in the region. Along the valley there are hundreds of natural caves carved into the rock, many of these caves close together and linked by tunnels in the rocky walls.
-Among these is the famous 'Cava Ispica', over 13 kilometres long and extending from Modica in the north to Ispica in the south. The historical site was occupied during various times throughout history: in the Bronze age, by the Sicules; and in the late Roman Empire (4th-5th century A.C) of which now remain the Christian catacombs. Until the earthquake of 1693, it was inhabited by as many as 6,000 people, a curious universe of cavemen who dazzled travellers in the 17th century, who then captured the area in many of their artistic sketches. This site is a spectacular show of Christian catacombs, prehistoric burial sites, churches, castles, houses and many other structures carved into the rock from the Neolithic period until 1693.
-In the low Ispica Cave is the Fortilitium, or the ancient 'castle of the Statella', where the important Statella family lived from the 14th century onwards. Next to the castle stood the ancient village of Spaccaforno, which was destroyed with the Fortilitium by the earthquake of 1693.
Ispica is well known for its prehistoric caves, the main attraction in the region. Along the valley there are hundreds of natural caves carved into the rock, many of these caves close together and linked by tunnels in the rocky walls.
-Among these is the famous 'Cava Ispica', over 13 kilometres long and extending from Modica in the north to Ispica in the south. The historical site was occupied during various times throughout history: in the Bronze age, by the Sicules; and in the late Roman Empire (4th-5th century A.C) of which now remain the Christian catacombs. Until the earthquake of 1693, it was inhabited by as many as 6,000 people, a curious universe of cavemen who dazzled travellers in the 17th century, who then captured the area in many of their artistic sketches. This site is a spectacular show of Christian catacombs, prehistoric burial sites, churches, castles, houses and many other structures carved into the rock from the Neolithic period until 1693.
-In the low Ispica Cave is the Fortilitium, or the ancient 'castle of the Statella', where the important Statella family lived from the 14th century onwards. Next to the castle stood the ancient village of Spaccaforno, which was destroyed with the Fortilitium by the earthquake of 1693.
The Paleo-Christian catacomb of the Larderia (4th-5th century BC), an underground cemetery of over 500 square meters, is also truly remarkable site for the number of burials (464 tombs).
-Also famous and of historical interest is the so-called Sicano Castle, a true fortress built into the rock on a cliff that plunges steeply down over 30 metres. It presents a series of excavations of prehistoric, early Christian and medieval rock art, although partly destroyed and difficult to read.
-Also famous and of historical interest is the so-called Sicano Castle, a true fortress built into the rock on a cliff that plunges steeply down over 30 metres. It presents a series of excavations of prehistoric, early Christian and medieval rock art, although partly destroyed and difficult to read.