Acropolis of Gela
The Acropolis of Gela is located on the hill of Molino a Vento, located east of the city, in a predominant position.
Ancient Gela was founded between 689 and 688 BC. by Greek colonists from the cities of Crete and Rhodes. Until 405 BC the area housed the most important sacred buildings of Gela, many of whose ornaments are now preserved in the city museum. Following the rise to power of Timoleon, who rebuilt the city walls in 338 BC, numerous houses were built on the acropolis along the sides of the hill. In addition to the houses, shops were built, as evidenced by the archaeological finds found in the area. The excavations have also brought to light, below the archaic Greek level, protohistoric finds dating back to the Bronze and Copper Ages.
In the archaeological area of the Acropolis of Gela it is possible to admire : the circular pit tombs closed by vertical stone slabs dating back to the 4th and 2nd millennium BC; a Doric temple of which only one column remains, dating back to the 5th century BC; ancient dwellings in the northern area of the Acropolis, including two bell-shaped cisterns; the fortified walls dating back to the end of the 6th century; the Doric temple of Athena dating back to the 6th century BC of which it is possible to admire the base with peristasis of 6 columns on the shorter sides and of 12 columns on the longer sides richly decorated with polychrome terracotta, now exhibited in the museum of Gela and in that of Syracuse.
