Kamarina Archaeological Area
The Archaeological site of Kamarina contains the remains of the ancient city of Kamarina and constitutes a precious heritage of terrestrial and submarine archeology.
The ruins are located in a stretch of coast known as Baia dei Coralli which extends between two promontories which made it one of the most active ports in the Norman period. According to Thucydides, the foundation of the Greek city of Kamarina, an important colony of Syracuse, dates back to 598 BC. The city experienced various destructions and looting during its short existence, and in 258 BC. it was finally taken and destroyed by the Romans.
Today only ruins and important archaeological finds remain.
At the highest point of the hill, the remains of the Temple of Athena are visible: the foundation cuts in the rock, a section of the south wall of the cell in the courtyard and the north-east corner exposed inside the Archaeological Museum of Kamarina.
Excavations of the agora of the city, located at the south-western end of the hill, they have not yet been completely completed.
Among the private buildings of the urban settlement, of particular interest are: the remains of the “Casa dell 'altar', dating back to the Republican age, so called due to the sacred structure placed in the center of the courtyard, around which various rooms are arranged; the "House of the inscription" on the southern slopes of the hill of Heracles; and the "Merchant's House", from which some weights and a bronze measuring instrument come.
There are also remains of the city walls and the best preserved section is below of the hill of Heracles and corresponds to the southern part of the fortification walls of the city.
Inside the archaeological site the Camarinesi necropolis have also been brought to light, including that of "Passo marinaro", whose tombs can be dated between the mid-fifth century and 258 BC.
The material found in the Archaeological area of Kamarina is now preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Kamarina, the Archaeological Museum of Ragusa and the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse.
