Photo: AbelDionis · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Area archeologica di Bosco Littorio

Archaeological area at the foot of the acropolis of Gela, with the remains of a Greek trading emporium of the 7th–6th century BC; currently closed for works.

Temporarily closedFree admission

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Temporarily closed. Area temporarily closed for maintenance and safety works.

About the museum

The Bosco Littorio archaeological area occupies a wide wooded zone at the foot of the acropolis of Gela, near the coast and the mouth of the Gela river. A Greek trading emporium stood here, founded in the 7th century BC after the arrival of Rhodian-Cretan colonists in 689 BC. It was abruptly abandoned at the beginning of the 5th century BC and then covered by sand and vegetation. The present name derives from the wood planted in 1927 during the Fascist regime.

Excavations began in 1983 and brought to light a quarter of rectangular rooms in mud brick on stone foundations, used as houses and workshops. The walls are preserved to more than two metres in height and partly retain the pale plaster, traces of roof beams and openings of doors and windows; the excellent preservation is due to rapid burial under sand. Among the materials are Corinthian, Attic, Chalcidian and Laconian pottery and transport containers from Chios, Samos and the Greek West, which confirm the commercial function of the building.

A protective cover was installed in 2007 and the site was opened to the public on 29 May 2009. It is part of the Parco archeologico di Gela, and within its perimeter also stands the Museo dei Relitti Greci.

Highlights

Archaic Greek emporium with walls over two metres high
Pale plaster and traces of roof beams still visible
Corinthian, Attic and Laconian pottery
Protective cover over the excavations since 2007

Operated by: Parco archeologico di Gela