Area archeologica e Antiquarium di Eraclea Minoa

About the museum

Eraclea Minoa stands on a pale headland overlooking the sea, within the Foce del Fiume Platani Nature Reserve. The city was founded by the Selinuntines in the 6th century BC and soon came under the influence of Akragas; after the Carthaginian invasion of 409–406 BC it passed under Punic control. In 132 BC it was resettled by the Romans under Publio Rupilio and became involved in the Servile Wars.

From the 1st century BC the city was largely abandoned, a pause interrupted in the 5th–6th centuries AD by the construction of a funerary basilica. A wall of about 6 km enclosed the whole plateau down to the Platani river and is still partly visible.

Excavations began in the 1950s under Ernesto De Miro, who uncovered the theatre, from whose tiers there is a view of the Mediterranean; houses from the Roman period have also been identified. At the entrance, the small Antiquarium displays figured pottery, terracotta figurines, household objects and a female head from the 4th century BC.

Highlights

• Theatre with a view of the Mediterranean
• City wall of about 6 km
• Antiquarium with figurines of Sicilian deities
• Female head from the 4th century BC
• Foce del Fiume Platani Nature Reserve

Permanent exhibitions

• Area archeologica con teatro – Remains of the ancient city on a headland above the sea, with the theatre, city wall and Roman-period houses.
• Antiquarium – Small display at the entrance with figured pottery, terracotta figurines, small statues of Sicilian deities and a female head from the 4th century BC.

Operated by

Parco archeologico e paesaggistico della Valle dei Templi (Regione Siciliana)

Visitors per year

approx. 16,018

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of each month and on special occasions announced by the regional Department of Cultural Heritage; also free on 10 March (Giornata dei Beni Culturali Siciliani, Sicilian Cultural Heritage Day).

The ticket covers the archaeological area and the Antiquarium and is bought online via the CoopCulture website. Further free admissions apply to categories such as EU tourist guides, ICOM members, teachers and journalists.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is partly accessible; telephone assistance is available.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car: from Palermo or Mazara del Vallo take the A29 to the Castelvetrano exit, then the SS115 to the junction for Cattolica Eraclea and the SP30; from Catania take the A19 to the Caltanissetta exit, the SS640 towards Agrigento, then the SS115 to the junction for Montallegro and the SP29. The nearest railway station is Agrigento Centrale, about 40 km away; the port of Porto Empedocle is about 30 km away.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit