Eraclea minoa – Between history and pristine beaches

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Last Updated on 4 August 2024

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Introduction and a bit of history

Eraclea Minoa is a small fraction of Cattolica Eraclea, consisting of a few houses and 2 main streets. The premise is not the best, yet Eraclea Minoa has a lot to offer both from a cultural and naturalistic point of view.

Eraclea Minoa beach — The beach – Hein56didden , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

This place was inhabited as early as the Neolithic and later by Sicans, Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. The name Minoa derives from the Greek island of Minoa, exactly where the Greeks who colonized the place came from . The name Heraclea, on the other hand, was added later in honor of Heracles, a hero of Greek mythology.

The city was definitively abandoned in the first century. BC, probably due to a landslide that destroyed and dragged part of the city into the sea.

Tip from Topsecretsicily – Hike among organic olive groves

You can also book a guided tour to Eraclea Minoa and Scala dei Turchi to discover beaches and archaeological remains. Another interesting offer is an ‘ excursion among organic olive groves in the area in the company of an agronomist, including a visit to an oil mill, oil tasting and tasting of typical local products, such as arancini, sfincione and crocche’.

What to see in Eraclea Minoa

There is so much to see in Heracles Minoa and in the immediate vicinity. The beach is fine and golden and overlooks a thick pine forest and a fascinating white promontory . On the latter you will find a small Greek theater and important archaeological finds from the Greek and Roman period.

Archaeological area of Eraclea Minoa — Archeological area – Hein56didden , CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Panorama from the archaeological area of Eraclea Minoa — Panorama from the archaeological area – © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro

A few steps from the archaeological area is Capo Bianco, from which you will have a spectacular view of the Platani River Nature Reserve (The sunset from here is spectacular). Speaking of nature reserves, not far from Eraclea Minoa, it is located Salsa Tower , an area protected by the WWF, where sea turtles nest.