Sant’Angelo Muxaro among Tombs, Gypsum and Olive Oil

Archaeology from the Chalcolithic to the Middle Ages

The MuSAM Archaeological Museum is housed in the 19th-century Palazzo Arnone on Piazza Umberto I. It presents the geological formation of the area, gypsum and salt, the first prehistoric communities, and the major excavations carried out by Paolo Orsi. The Tomba del Principe is also known as the Grotta del Principe and is considered Sicily’s largest and particularly impressive prehistoric tomb. It consists of two interconnected, approximately circular chambers; the larger measures 8.8 metres in diameter and is 3.5 metres high.

The past can also be read in specific places outside the museum. Monte M’pisu contains a Chalcolithic shaft-tomb necropolis dating from the 4th millennium BC, where vessels and skeletal remains were found. The archaeological stratigraphy of Monte Castello begins in the 5th millennium BC and extends through the Greek, Roman and medieval periods. The protohistoric necropolis of Colle Sant’Angelo lies on the southern slope of the hill and comprises tombs carved into the gypsum rock. Its burial chambers were used continuously for at least 600 years; this use began between the 13th and 11th centuries BC and continued until the 6th century BC. The Necropoli Grotticelle is also part of the archaeological area of Sant’Angelo Muxaro and comprises burials carved into the rock dating from the 13th to the 6th century BC.

Churches and Art in the Town Centre

The Chiesa Madre Sant’Angelo Martire is a late Baroque church from the mid-18th century; the year of construction, 1764, is inscribed above its main portal. The Chiesa del Carmelo dates in its present form from 1725, while its bell tower was completed in 1726. The Via dei Murales offers a different view of the town: This art itinerary, spread throughout the built-up centre, combines murals, sculptures and installations of modern and contemporary art with local history, archaeology and traditions.

Gypsum Landscape and Caves

The 21-hectare Grotta di Sant’Angelo Muxaro Integral Nature Reserve is located in Sant’Angelo Muxaro and managed by Legambiente Sicilia. It protects two caves at the foot of the southern slopes of the gypsum-rich hill of Sant’Angelo Muxaro, on which the town of the same name stands. The Grotta Ciavuli has two branches with entrances one above the other and a total length of 1,760 metres. In one active branch, a stream flowing in from outside forms small waterfalls and clear pools before resurfacing after an approximately 1-kilometre underground course.

Hiking, Caves and Regional Cuisine

The path in the Vallone del Ponte runs mainly along the watercourse and passes through several hydrogeological passages known as the Grotte d’Acqua. Speleological excursions in the Vallone del Ponte can be booked through the Sant’Angelo Muxaro section of Legambiente Sicilia. At the third edition of the Sagra dell’Asparago selvatico Sicano in Sant’Angelo Muxaro, the programme of protected-area events included an educational hike; the festival also featured tastings, show cooking, conferences, excursions and live music.

The AperiExperience at Tenute l’Oro del Lago combines a walk through an olive grove with a tasting of extra virgin olive oil and presents olive cultivation as a sustainable local tradition. During the Village Experience – Val di Kam, visitors taste pani cunzatu, local cheeses, almond biscuits, honey, olive oil and wines from the region along the way. This experience also includes preparing pizza together with a local family using local flours and ingredients.

If you are planning your trip beyond Sant’Angelo Muxaro, you can find further destinations at Contrada Fiori Sud, Raffadali, Naro, Villaggio Pirandello, Ravanusa, Santo Stefano Quisquina, Villaggio Mosè and Santa Margherita Di Belice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Agrigento.