Tourism and tourist places in Raffadali: The Archaeological Site

The town of Raffadali

Tourism in Raffadali

The Archaeological Site

Raffadali, situated among luxuriant hills, was founded with licentia populandi in 1507 by Pietro Montaperto.

The surrounding area is very important from an archaeological point of view.

On Mount Guastamella you can admire some prehistoric caves and tombs, as well as the ruins of an Arab castle.

This castle, used by the Muslims for deportation, had the archbishop Agrigento Ursone as a prisoner for three times in different periods.

Between 1221 and 1232 Federico II of Swabia (1194-1250), back to Sicily after fighting in Germany against Ottone IV of Brunswick (1175-1218), defeated the Arabs and destroyed the fortress. Now only few ruins remain.

On Mount Grotticelle a Roman-byzantine necropolis with tombs carved into the rock has been found, as well as ruins of buildings belonging to the old Erbesso.

Here a Roman sarcophagus with the rape of Proserpine has been found.

It is very important from an artistic and archeological point of view.

In Cozzo Pietra Rossa there is a necropolis dated back to the Neolithic period, characterized by particular tombs (tombe a forno).

In Cozzo Busone there is a prehistoric necropolis: inside the tombs some fragments of stone items and pottery have been found, as well as two small statues representing deities.

All findings are now kept into the Archaeological Museum in Agrigento.