Excursion to the Necropolis of Pantalica

The enchantment of history and the wonders of nature merge in the Necropolis of Pantalica.

An evocative excursion, immersed among ancient rock-cut tombs and the harmony of the river flowing between two large quarries. This natural and archaeological area, in the province of Syracuse, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• We begin the excursion by exploring the Byzantine Village, entirely carved into the rock, where there are ancient dwellings and the remains of a church.
• We set off to visit the Bat Cave, a 270-meter cavern that is home to a colony of bats.
• We continue our excursion along the river, passing through the vegetation and observing the evocative necropolises located along the rock faces.
• We arrive at the remains of an ancient megalithic palace dating back to the 12th century BC, the Anaktoron, whose position allows us to observe the quarries.
• We stop to relax surrounded by flora by the river and also take a refreshing dip.
• We’ll have lunch with typical, locally sourced Sicilian products before continuing our excursion.
• We continue along the river and listen to the history of the Necropolis of Pantalica until we reach the Necropolis of Filiporto, made up of around a thousand tombs.
• We visit another Byzantine village and the church of San Micidiario where there are still traces of ancient frescoes.
• We arrive at the Cavetta where we can admire groups of troglodyte dwellings and enjoy a wonderful landscape.
• Let’s go inside the Cave of the Crucifix to observe the remains of an ancient crucifixion. This cave was used as a church.

Equipment needed for the Pantalica excursion

Sneakers or hiking shoes, and a swimsuit for those who want to dive into the river.
Hiking shoes are available upon request.

Transfer

Free pickup and drop-off from your accommodation near Catania and the surrounding area.
Additional surcharge for departures from other locations.

Rates for the excursion to the Necropolis of Pantalica

• €85 per person.
• 15% discount when booking online.
• Discounts for families and groups.
• All prices include insurance and membership fees.