An Archaeological Visit to Castiglione di Sicilia and Naxos

Today the Ragusa branch of Archeoclub d'Italia goes to Castiglione di Sicilia for a visit to the Byzantine Cuba of Santa Domenica, one of the most important and most mature examples in the series of Sicilian domed churches; the term "cuba" comes from the Latin words "cupa" and "cupula", meaning cask and little cask, and defines a building with a square plan and three apses plus a dome, clearly visible from outside even though depressed. Built between the 8th and 9th centuries AD in mixed masonry with reused stones, mortar and terracotta fragments and blocks of regular lava stone. The church has been a national monument since 31.8.1909. After lunch at the "Belvedere di Alcantara" restaurant in Castiglione di Sicilia, we go to visit the ancient Greek colony of Naxos near Capo Schisò, in a splendid position between Etna and the sea.

We see the excavations and the precious museum, a former Spanish fort with splendid finds inside. ENZO PIAZZESE - TOURIST GUIDE IN SICILY - 348.2229891