The Grotta Mangiapane is one of those tourist destinations that is so far off the beaten track that, while it may be of interest to tourists, it really isn't made for the itineraries of most. It is a bit of a secret that is unfamiliar to anyone but locals.
However, it is well worth a visit. Just find a luxury villa in Sicily and explore this unique site for yourself!
The giant cave, located on the west coast of Sicily, is home to an ancient village, that may date back some 10,000 years and which has remained untouched and untainted for decades. It is the largest of nine Scurati Caves in Custonaci where prehistoric men first settled. For a long time thereafter it was a small town and community. Today, it is abandoned and is now basically a large, open-air museum, dedicated to Italy of the past and which allows visitors to step back in time.
However, it is well worth a visit. Just find a luxury villa in Sicily and explore this unique site for yourself!
The giant cave, located on the west coast of Sicily, is home to an ancient village, that may date back some 10,000 years and which has remained untouched and untainted for decades. It is the largest of nine Scurati Caves in Custonaci where prehistoric men first settled. For a long time thereafter it was a small town and community. Today, it is abandoned and is now basically a large, open-air museum, dedicated to Italy of the past and which allows visitors to step back in time.
Named after the Mangiapane family, who lived in the village from the early 19th century until the 1950s, it was abandoned in the 20th century and a group of passionate locals reached out to the last of the family to have it preserved exactly as it stood.
The whole site is extraordinary with the town located in an immense cave that measures eighty metres in height and extends seventy metres to the back of the cave. Today, you can wander around the old town; the buildings, shops, homes and workplaces, all with the original décor, furniture and items of daily life still located inside.
As noted, this is not a typical or conventional tourist destination. While you may be able to explore the site at your leisure, don't expect fast food restaurants, souvenir stands or any of the usual accoutrements of such locations or for anyone to speak English.
The whole site is extraordinary with the town located in an immense cave that measures eighty metres in height and extends seventy metres to the back of the cave. Today, you can wander around the old town; the buildings, shops, homes and workplaces, all with the original décor, furniture and items of daily life still located inside.
As noted, this is not a typical or conventional tourist destination. While you may be able to explore the site at your leisure, don't expect fast food restaurants, souvenir stands or any of the usual accoutrements of such locations or for anyone to speak English.
Instead, what you will find is an extraordinary site that brings together a natural marvel with prehistoric and more recent history, all in a scenic and photogenic presentation. It is, surely, one of the most fascinating and bizarre spots that you will find in all of Italy and well worth the visit if you want to explore Sicily beyond the conventional tourist traps.
Photo credits
Picture 1: Mboesch / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: iloveagrigento.it / CC BY 2.0;
Picture 3: Norbert Nagel / CC BY-SA 3.0
Picture 1: Mboesch / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: iloveagrigento.it / CC BY 2.0;
Picture 3: Norbert Nagel / CC BY-SA 3.0
