Discover Cassibile: Nature, Archaeology and Commemorative Heritage

Cassibile combines the natural setting of the Cassibile River with archaeological settlements and historical themes. Here, the Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve brings together cliffs, waterfalls, pools and rare plants with traces of the past; the surrounding area also features beaches, a castle, museums and a palace.

The Cassibile Gorge and Plant Life

The Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve encompasses cliffs carved out by the waters of the Cassibile River, rising to heights of more than 250 metres in places. Small waterfalls and deep pools lie on the valley floor. The natural vegetation includes more than 400 plant species, many of them rare or endemic. Numerous centuries-old Oriental plane trees (Platanus orientalis) grow along the river; their trunks reach a diameter of more than 1.5 metres. Those who appreciate nature observation and striking landscape features will find a clear focus here.

Trails in the Nature Reserve

The trails in the Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve are often uneven. Closed hiking or sports shoes with soles that are as slip-resistant as possible are recommended. Plan your visit with the condition of the trails and your own sure-footedness in mind.

Necropolis and Settlements

The Cassibile Necropolis comprises more than 2,000 tombs and is considered Sicily’s largest protohistoric necropolis after Pantalica. The Grotta dei briganti is also known as the Grotta della Cunsiria; it is a rock settlement on the northern slope of the gorge and can be reached via a steep staircase carved into the rock. The Dieri settlement comprises more than 140 rooms; paths run through artificially constructed tunnels. The Dieri village extends for about one kilometre across several levels of a rocky ridge.

The Cassibile Armistice

The Cassibile Armistice—the unconditional surrender of Italy to the Allied powers—was signed on 3 September 1943 in Cassibile, a locality within the municipality of Siracusa, by Generals G. Castellano and W. Bedell Smith. Every year, the Kakiparis association from Cassibile, the Lamba Doria cultural association and the municipality of Siracusa organise commemorative ceremonies and exhibitions dedicated to the armistice and those who fell. Civilian, religious and military representatives at regional and national level take part in these events.

The monument commemorating the armistice and those who fell, in the area of the Church of San Giuseppe in Cassibile, was created in 1993, later moved opposite its original location, and designed by the sculptor Antonio Leone, who was from Siracusa.

Beaches and Culture in the Surrounding Area

The beaches of Spiaggia Fontane Bianche, Marchesa di Cassibile, Spiaggia di Gallina and Spiaggia Arenella are located in the immediate vicinity of Cassibile. The surrounding area of Cassibile also features Castello Maniace as a castle, Nova Musa Val di Noto Società Consortile and Palazzo Bellomo as museums, and Palazzo Arcivescovile as a palace.

When choosing a hotel in Cassibile, you can decide in advance which focus you prefer: trails and plant life in the nature reserve, archaeological sites, the events of 1943, or the beaches and cultural attractions in the surrounding area. This allows you to choose your accommodation according to the type of trip that matters most to you.

More Destinations

Carlentini, Arenella, Isab - Erg, Syracuse, Portopalo Di Capo Passero, San Lorenzo, Solarino and Plemmirio.

For the higher-level travel overview: Syracuse.