The Place of the Divine Palikoi

On our way to Piazza Armerina and its amazing mosaics we passed Paliké, an ancient Greek archeological site in the valley of the Margi river.

It was just a brown road sign to tell us that some excavations might be there. I took the little road in the middle of fields to see what is there. We were very surprised to find a real open air museum with excavations and show room.

Rocchicella is a hill in the middle of the Sikel people area who once lived here. The location was place of the divine Palikoi, sons of Zeus and the Ninpha Thalia.. Originally there were a few lakes around with ‘boiling’ water, they are disappeared now due to industry.

Excavations found ruins of a town on the top of the hill and in front of the grotto below the hill. Some artifacts found here we could see in the showroom.

Already in the prehistoric period people lived here. More than 12.000 years ago. From that time there are some findings of hunting tools. Later around 700 BC there appear some buildings. The ones in front of the grotto were part of the sanctuary for the two divine brothers.

There were found as well a kitchen area with several pottery parts and tools and cups and animal bones.

It is thought that is was the Sikel leader Duceticus who founded the little living community around 453 BC. Originally the place was surrounded by walls and fast the community grew to a city thanks to the fertile soil (due to the volcanic activities underneath). But it didn’t last too long and was destroyed maybe by Syracuse (Greek city) just after the death of Duceticus.

It was rebuilt and also inhabited during the Roman Empire. They found a mill and an oven.

This is the history of the place. We didn’t know anything before but the showroom is definitely a great help to understand. It’s best to go first into the showroom and read all the information boards located here.

One can see some pottery, jewelry, tools and more. All exposed nicely and with a lot of explanations.

The excavation area gives a good impression of the once sanctuary and the buildings around. There is no way – that I have seen – to go up on the top of the hill for visiting the city itself. The rebuilt roundhouse gives a good idea how people built their homes in the late prehistoric period. I think they had a warm, safe and cozy then!

If you happen in the area you should not miss this place as it gives a great glimpse into a period of time that lies just in the beginning of humanity’s civilization.


Palike, Sicily/Italy:

For further information:
Website about Sicily


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