Area archeologica di Akrai
Archaeological area on the hill above Palazzolo Acreide, with a theatre, a bouleuterion, rock sanctuaries and quarries, remains of an ancient subcolony of Syracuse.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
According to Thucydides, Akrai was the oldest of the subcolonies of Syracuse, founded in 664 BC on the plateau between the Tellaro and Anapo valleys to control the hinterland. The first to identify Akrai with the site west of Palazzolo Acreide was, in the 16th century, the historian and theologian Tommaso Fazello; but real archaeological research began only in the 19th century, with Baron Judica.
The public area lies along the slope of the hill overlooking the modern town and is dominated by the theatre and the bouleuterion, of the 3rd century BC, and by a probable bath building with a circular central hall of late Hellenistic date. On the acropolis the foundations remain of an Archaic temple from the second half of the 6th century BC, identified with the temple of Aphrodite mentioned in an inscription. An east–west road, crossed by secondary streets arranged like a comb, linked the two gates of the city.
In late antiquity a complex of catacombs and funerary hypogea opened into the walls of some large quarries (latomie) of the Classical age, such as the Intagliata and the Intagliatella. Along the Colle Orbo are the so-called “Santoni”, a 3rd-century BC sanctuary dedicated to Cybele with large rock sculptures of the goddess enthroned, and nearby the sanctuary of the Templi Ferali, dedicated to the dead venerated as heroes.
Highlights
- Theatre and bouleuterion of the 3rd century BC
- The “Santoni”, rock sculptures of the goddess Cybele
- Sanctuary of the Templi Ferali
- Intagliata and Intagliatella quarries with catacombs
- Foundations of an Archaic temple on the acropolis
- Founded
- -664
- Operated by
- Parco archeologico e paesaggistico di Siracusa, Eloro, Villa del Tellaro e Akrai
- Visitors per year
- approx. 12,211
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3citizens of the European Union aged 18 to 25 (the same concessions apply to citizens of non-EU countries on condition of reciprocity) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and a companion |
Free admission: First Sunday of every month
Free admission for under-18s, people with disabilities and a companion, EU tour guides and interpreters, ICOM members, EU teachers and school groups accompanied by their teachers (with booking), and other categories set out in regional regulations. Free admission on the first Sunday of every month.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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