Ancient Akrillai in Chiaramonte Gulfi
Sal73x - CC3.0
Akrillai was an ancient Greek colony located in the territory of today's Chiaramonte Gulfi.
The city was founded by the Corinthian-Syracusan Greeks at the time of the foundation of Kamarina, in 598 BC, and based its economy on trade given its strategic position on the via Selinuntina.
Akrillai always remained under the influence of Syracuse with which it was an ally. In 406 BC, after the fall of Akragas and Gela, the town suffered its first destruction by the Carthaginians during their advance towards Syracuse. With the defeat of the Syracusans by Hippocrates, the city of Akrillai became part of the Roman province of Sicily and the name changed to Acrillae. It was destroyed a second time by the Arabs in 827 AD, and the town was later rebuilt and took the Arab name of Gulfi. Name that still persists today.
The numerous finds found in this area are now exhibited at the Regional Archaeological Museum of Syracuse. Of particular value are the stained glass.
The site is in a complete state of disrepair. There is no road signage.
