Area archeologica di Halaesa Arconidea
Remains of the ancient Greek-Sicilian city of Halaesa, founded in 403 BC on the Tyrrhenian coast, with an antiquarium.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Halaesa Arconidea was founded in 403 BC, according to Diodorus Siculus, on a hill overlooking the Tyrrhenian coast and the valley of the Tusa river, in the area of Santa Maria delle Palate. It took its name from Archonides of Herbita, who after the peace with Syracuse granted part of his territory to the Sicels to found the new city.
It was one of the first Sicilian cities to side with Rome during the First Punic War and became one of the five civitates liberae et immunes, with self-government and exempt from tribute. This status favoured prosperity from the Republican to the Imperial age. After the Arab occupation of the island it was abandoned, and the population moved to the present-day town of Tusa.
Excavations have uncovered an urban layout with north-south cardines and steep, terraced decumani, surrounded by walls from the 4th century BC. Along the main cardo lie the agora and, to the north, the so-called contrafforti (buttresses) that supported the road up to the acropolis, with the sacred area and the foundations of two temples, one perhaps dedicated to Apollo. The antiquarium displays sculptures, architectural elements and a collection of Greek and Latin inscriptions dating from the 2nd century BC to the 3rd century AD. Excavations to uncover the Hellenistic-Roman theatre have been under way since 2025.
Highlights
- Agora and main cardo
- Peristyle houses
- Walls from the 4th century BC
- Sacred area on the acropolis with temple foundations
- Antiquarium with sculptures and Greek and Latin inscriptions
- Operated by
- Parco archeologico di Tindari (Regione Siciliana)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1European Union citizens aged 18 to 25 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and one companion. |
Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month and on special occasions announced by the Assessorato regionale dei Beni culturali (Sicilian regional cultural heritage department).
The ticket covers the archaeological area and the antiquarium.
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