Photo: Emanuelesava · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Area archeologica di Vassallaggi

Archaeological area on five hills near San Cataldo, with an indigenous and later Greek settlement, a necropolis and a sanctuary of Demeter and Kore; temporarily closed.

Temporarily closedFree admission

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Temporarily closed. The Parco archeologico di Gela indicates the area as temporarily closed for maintenance and safety works. No reopening date has been announced.

About the museum

The Vassallaggi site lies near San Cataldo, on five hills between the middle course of the Salso and the upper course of the Platani. It was already inhabited in the Bronze Age (2200–1450 BC), with a necropolis of artificial rock-cut tombs and a village on the second hill. Between the 8th and 7th centuries BC an indigenous settlement arose on the third hill, with a necropolis of chamber tombs.

In the 6th century BC the centre passed under the influence of Agrigento and was transformed into a fortified military outpost; in the same period an urban sanctuary dedicated to Demeter and Kore was built. A violent destruction in the mid-5th century BC was followed by rapid reconstruction. The site has been identified with the ancient Motyon, conquered by Ducetius in 451 BC and retaken by Agrigento the following year.

In the second half of the 5th century BC the settlement reached its maximum expansion, with necropolises rich in imported Attic pottery. In the 4th century BC, after the Carthaginian devastations, there was probably a recovery and a city wall was built, partly brought to light between 1983 and 1986.

Highlights

Necropolis of the Bronze Age and the Archaic period
Urban sanctuary of Demeter and Kore
City wall of the 4th century BC
Identification with the ancient Motyon

Permanent exhibition

Area archeologica di Vassallaggi – Open-air area with the remains of the settlement, necropolis and sanctuary; currently not accessible.

Operated by: Parco archeologico di Gela (Regione Siciliana)