{"id":13343,"date":"2021-08-02T15:52:06","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T15:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/non-categorizzato\/pantalica-the-sicilian-sacred-canyon\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T12:20:38","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T12:20:38","slug":"pantalica-the-sicilian-sacred-canyon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-syracuse\/pantalica-the-sicilian-sacred-canyon\/","title":{"rendered":"History of Pantalica and what to see &#8211; Sicily&#8217;s sacred canyon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-auto kksr-align-left kksr-valign-top\"\n    data-payload='{&quot;align&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;13343&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;valign&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;ignore&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;reference&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;count&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;legendonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;readonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;score&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;starsonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;best&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;7&quot;,&quot;greet&quot;:&quot;Vote article&quot;,&quot;legend&quot;:&quot;0\\\/5 - (0 votes)&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;History of Pantalica and what to see - Sicily\\u0026#039;s sacred canyon&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;_legend&quot;:&quot;{score}\\\/{best} - ({count} {votes})&quot;,&quot;font_factor&quot;:&quot;1.25&quot;}'>\n            \n<div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 0px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                \n\n<div class=\"kksr-legend\" style=\"font-size: 19.2px;\">\n            <span class=\"kksr-muted\">Vote article<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-syracuse\/pantalica-the-sicilian-sacred-canyon\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-syracuse\/pantalica-the-sicilian-sacred-canyon\/#The_history_of_Pantalica\" >The history of Pantalica<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-syracuse\/pantalica-the-sicilian-sacred-canyon\/#Origin_of_the_necropolis_and_evolution\" >Origin of the necropolis and evolution<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-syracuse\/pantalica-the-sicilian-sacred-canyon\/#Interactive_map_of_Pantalica_%E2%80%93_The_suggested_tour\" >Interactive map of Pantalica &#8211; The suggested tour<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-syracuse\/pantalica-the-sicilian-sacred-canyon\/#First_part_of_the_tour_%E2%80%93_Yellow_route\" >First part of the tour &#8211; Yellow route<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-syracuse\/pantalica-the-sicilian-sacred-canyon\/#Second_part_of_the_tour_%E2%80%93_Purple_route\" >Second part of the tour &#8211; Purple route<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-syracuse\/pantalica-the-sicilian-sacred-canyon\/#Typical_products_of_the_Pantalica_area\" >Typical products of the Pantalica area<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-syracuse\/pantalica-the-sicilian-sacred-canyon\/#Most_popular_activities_for_tourists_in_Sicily\" >Most popular activities for tourists in Sicily<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span>Introduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Arriving in this place is like going back in time of 3,000 years, here nothing has changed everything has remained as it once was. You will be able to enter these artificial caves, observe them from the inside, imagine the ancient peoples here in prayer. All in a dream natural setting, intact, as there are few left in Sicily and in general on Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pantalica is a beautiful nature reserve, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco<\/strong> . But what makes this reserve so special? Well, he thinks that nature takes center stage here, including beautiful <strong>canyons, small lakes and small rivers, with lush Mediterranean vegetation<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But Pantalica is not only this, this place hides something very ancient, sacred, dating back to the<strong> Bronze Age<\/strong> , that is to the XIV century BC (More than 3,000 years ago so to speak).<strong> More than 5,000 tombs entirely carved into the rock are hidden here<\/strong> , something truly impressive. Tombs that over the centuries have also been used by various peoples who have followed one another and sometimes even transformed into houses or rock churches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Necropoli_Pantalica_architettura_funeraria_rupestre_-_Necropolis_Pantalica_funerary_architecture_rock_-_panoramio-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Necropoli_Pantalica_architettura_funeraria_rupestre_-_Necropolis_Pantalica_funerary_architecture_rock_-_panoramio-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Necropoli_Pantalica_architettura_funeraria_rupestre_-_Necropolis_Pantalica_funerary_architecture_rock_-_panoramio-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Necropoli_Pantalica_architettura_funeraria_rupestre_-_Necropolis_Pantalica_funerary_architecture_rock_-_panoramio-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Necropoli_Pantalica_architettura_funeraria_rupestre_-_Necropolis_Pantalica_funerary_architecture_rock_-_panoramio.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Necropoli_Pantalica,_architettura_funeraria_rupestre_-_Necropolis_Pantalica,_funerary_architecture_rock_-_panoramio.jpg\">Except Cannizzaro<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\"> CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The_Anapo_valley.jpg\" alt=\"Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The_Anapo_valley.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The_Anapo_valley-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The_Anapo_valley-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:The_Anapo_valley.jpg\">Georg Naggies<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\"> CC BY 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Necropolis_of_Pantalica_356438971-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Necropolis_of_Pantalica_356438971-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Necropolis_of_Pantalica_356438971-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Necropolis_of_Pantalica_356438971-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Necropolis_of_Pantalica_356438971.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Necropolis_of_Pantalica_(356438971).jpg\">Andrew Malone<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\"> CC BY 2.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"766\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Monti_Iblei_-_Pantalica-1024x766.jpg\" alt=\"Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7078\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Monti_Iblei_-_Pantalica-1024x766.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Monti_Iblei_-_Pantalica-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Monti_Iblei_-_Pantalica-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Monti_Iblei_-_Pantalica.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Monti_Iblei_-_Pantalica.jpg\">Verity Cridland<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\"> CC BY 2.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-blick-zur-nekropoli-filipporto-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-blick-zur-nekropoli-filipporto-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-blick-zur-nekropoli-filipporto-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-blick-zur-nekropoli-filipporto-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-blick-zur-nekropoli-filipporto.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pantalica-blick-zur-nekropoli-filipporto.JPG\">Mboesch<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\"> CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-la-storia-di-pantalica\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_history_of_Pantalica\"><\/span>The history of Pantalica<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The tombs of Pantalica date as mentioned earlier to the 14th century BC. They were dug into the rock by an ancient sculpting people who had been stationed in Sicily for a long time, <strong>the Sicans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Sicans in fact were very good at working with stone and made these cave tombs<\/strong> in many places in Sicily, as in the case of the magnificent <a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-enna\/things-to-do-in-calascibetta-the-medieval-village\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Things to do in Calascibetta \u2013 The medieval village\">Byzantine Village<\/a> for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sicans actually once lived on the Sicilian coast, where the environment was certainly less hostile. They moved to Pantalica because of the arrival in Sicily of another people, the Siculi. Here the terrified Sicans, in order to escape from the enemy, fled into the Sicilian hinterland and took refuge in places like Pantalica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Sicans of Pantalica apparently came from Thapsos near Prioro Gargallo (Even today it is still possible to visit the ruins of Thapsos, although they are very badly kept, so a visit is not recommended) where they had strong trade links with Greece, exactly with Mycenae. Thapsos was then razed by the Siculians, and the Sicanians took refuge in Pantalica, where they found a veritable natural fortress among canyons, rivers and impervious rocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-origine-delle-necropoli-ed-evoluzione\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Origin_of_the_necropolis_and_evolution\"><\/span>Origin of the necropolis and evolution<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Necropoli_della_Cavetta_4-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7070\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Necropoli_della_Cavetta_4-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Necropoli_della_Cavetta_4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Necropoli_della_Cavetta_4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Necropoli_della_Cavetta_4.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Necropoli_della_Cavetta_4.jpg\">Davide Mauro<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\"> CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time the Sicans gave life to these caves, using them as a <strong>sacred place<\/strong> where they buried the dead. Sometimes these graves are found in inaccessible places,<strong> dug out of overhanging rocks<\/strong> . It is thought, therefore, that the Sicans climbed supported by ropes over these inaccessible places, so long as to allocate their loved ones a place of worthy burial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Anyway, the Siculi then also came to Pantalica, where they coexisted with the Sicanians<\/strong>. They even began to make these caves in the rock as well, generally larger in size, but they were not as skilled as the Sicans, in fact the quality of the works was much poorer, so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>After the Siculians here came the Greeks to Sicily<\/strong>. In the fourth century BC they also arrived in Pantalica and the<strong> destroyed completely<\/strong> . From that moment it was abandoned, the survivors took refuge in<a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-syracuse\/palazzolo-acreide-what-to-see-and-where-to-eat\/\"> Palazzolo Acreide<\/a> And<strong> Pantalica was inhabited only by peasants and shepherds<\/strong> . Everything remained so until the arrival of the Arabs in Sicily around the eighth century AD, therefore more than 1000 years later.<strong> The Byzantine monks<\/strong> to escape him they took refuge with their families in these places, transforming some caves into<strong> rock villages and churches.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mappa-interattiva-di-pantalica-il-tour-suggerito\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Interactive_map_of_Pantalica_%E2%80%93_The_suggested_tour\"><\/span>Interactive map of Pantalica &#8211; The suggested tour<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The places marked in yellow and purple are the suggested ones.<\/strong> To locate yourself once in the area, click on the enlarge symbol at the top right of the map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1PgO4Fqg4wNl-EMotW6NkU6_MnAlfrOL_\" width=\"999\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This very scenic tour allows you to see the main attractions of Pantalica and is not very demanding<\/strong> . Alternatively, you can also take other paths, which are also very beautiful, but they are more tiring and it would be better to rely on a guide. The nature reserve is in fact very large and there is so much to see (a whole day would not be enough).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tour is divided into two parts, the first marked in yellow and the second in purple. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-prima-parte-del-tour-percorso-giallo\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_part_of_the_tour_%E2%80%93_Yellow_route\"><\/span>First part of the tour &#8211; Yellow route<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Leave the car at the point indicated with the &#8220;P&#8221;, go to visit the other points of interest marked in yellow and return by car to reach the point indicated for the second part of the tour (not far away). <strong>Total time round trip about 1 hour. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The first stop is the San Micidiario<\/strong> , a small Byzantine village with an adjoining church of San Micidiario, obviously all dug into the rock. Faint traces of Byzantine frescoes and Greek writings are still visible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Proceeding to reach the<strong> small Byzantine village of San Nicolicchio<\/strong> , in the center of which is the oratory of San Nicolicchio, here too some traces of paintings are visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The last stop before going back and taking the car is the Anaktron<\/strong> . These are the remains of the home of Prince Sicanus, who had his palace built here. Around it were probably the dwellings of the people, which being thatched huts have now been lost.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Curiosity: The stones used for the building are not from the area. Taking into account that the Sicans had trade relations with the Mycenaeans, it is assumed that they received these stones from them, along with slaves, and under the guidance of a Mycenaean technician (The Sicans did not yet have this kind of skill) built the palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Pantalica-chiesa-san-miciadoro-01-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Pantalica Church of San Micidiario\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Church of San Micidiario &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pantalica-chiesa-san-miciadoro-01.JPG\"> Mboesch<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\"> CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-chiesa-san-miciadoro-02-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Pantalica Church of San Micidiario\" class=\"wp-image-7071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-chiesa-san-miciadoro-02-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-chiesa-san-miciadoro-02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-chiesa-san-miciadoro-02-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-chiesa-san-miciadoro-02.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Inside San Micidiario church &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pantalica-chiesa-san-miciadoro-02.JPG\"> Mboesch<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\"> CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-chiesa-di-san-nicolicchio-01-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Pantalica Church of San Nicolicchio\" class=\"wp-image-7082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-chiesa-di-san-nicolicchio-01-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-chiesa-di-san-nicolicchio-01-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-chiesa-di-san-nicolicchio-01-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-chiesa-di-san-nicolicchio-01.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Church of San Nicolicchio &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pantalica-chiesa-di-san-nicolicchio-01.JPG\"> Mboesch<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\"> CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"353\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Panorama_of_Pantalica_from_San_Micidario-1024x353.jpg\" alt=\"Panorama from the village of San Micidiario, Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Panorama_of_Pantalica_from_San_Micidario-1024x353.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Panorama_of_Pantalica_from_San_Micidario-300x103.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Panorama_of_Pantalica_from_San_Micidario-768x265.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Panorama_of_Pantalica_from_San_Micidario.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Panorama from the village of San Micidiario &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Nature_in_Pantalica.jpg\"> Davide Mauro<\/a> , CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica_valley_near_San_Micidiario_2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Panorama from the village of San Micidiario, Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica_valley_near_San_Micidiario_2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica_valley_near_San_Micidiario_2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica_valley_near_San_Micidiario_2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica_valley_near_San_Micidiario_2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Panorama from the village &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pantalica_valley_near_San_Micidiario_2.jpg\"> Davide Mauro<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\"> CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"794\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Pantalica_Anaktoron_aerial_view-1024x794.jpg\" alt=\"Anaktron, Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Pantalica_Anaktoron_aerial_view-1024x794.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Pantalica_Anaktoron_aerial_view-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Pantalica_Anaktoron_aerial_view-768x596.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Pantalica_Anaktoron_aerial_view.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Anaktron &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pantalica_Anaktoron_aerial_view.jpg\"> Jorre (Jochen Reinhard)<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\"> CC BY 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-seconda-parte-del-tour-percorso-viola\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Second_part_of_the_tour_%E2%80%93_Purple_route\"><\/span>Second part of the tour &#8211; Purple route<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Sorgente_a_Pantalica.jpg\" alt=\"Lake of Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7074\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Sorgente_a_Pantalica.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Sorgente_a_Pantalica-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Sorgente_a_Pantalica-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pantalica lake &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Chiesa_del_Crocifisso_01.JPG\"> Andrew Malone<\/a> CC BY SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-Valle_dellAnapo-2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Lake of Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-Valle_dellAnapo-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-Valle_dellAnapo-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-Valle_dellAnapo-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Pantalica-Valle_dellAnapo-2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pantalica-Valle_dell%27Anapo-2.jpg\">Patrik Tschudin<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\"> CC BY 2.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chiesa_del_Crocifisso_01-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Church of the crucifix, Pantalica\" class=\"wp-image-7073\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chiesa_del_Crocifisso_01-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chiesa_del_Crocifisso_01-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chiesa_del_Crocifisso_01-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chiesa_del_Crocifisso_01.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Chiesa_del_Crocifisso_01.JPG\">Davide Mauro<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\"> CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Once the first part of the tour is over, take the car back and set off for a few minutes, to the point marked with the &#8220;P&#8221;<\/strong> , where you park your car again. From here you can proceed on foot and visit the other points of interest marked in purple. <strong>Total time there and back about 45 minutes. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The first stop is the small Byzantine church of the Crucifix<\/strong> , carved into the rock and also with traces of frescoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Then proceed along the path that leads downstream, until you reach the river and the pond.<\/strong> A magical place, totally immersed in nature, with a view of the necropolis dug into the overhanging rocky ridge, which is opposite. Here the water, besides being beautifully fresh, is so clear that you can even see the seabed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Advise:<\/strong> Bring some comfortable sneakers, lots of water and some sandwiches. Absolutely avoid the hottest hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-prodotti-tipici-della-zona-di-pantalica\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Typical_products_of_the_Pantalica_area\"><\/span>Typical products of the Pantalica area<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pantalica is located in the province of Syracuse. If you want to discover the typical dishes of the area, here you can find an article on<a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/food\/what-to-eat-in-syracuse-and-surroundings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> what to eat in Syracuse and surroundings<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here instead you find the<a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/food\/typical-sicilian-dishes-and-products\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> typical Sicilian dishes and products<\/a> in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Most_popular_activities_for_tourists_in_Sicily\"><\/span>Most popular activities for tourists in Sicily<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div data-gyg-widget=\"auto\" data-gyg-partner-id=\"2MY8JNV\" data-gyg-cmp=\"Pantalica\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30624,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[113],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-province-of-syracuse"],"aioseo_notices":[],"modified_by":"Dario Lo Turco","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13343"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13343\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51244,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13343\/revisions\/51244"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30624"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}