Monte Catalfano hosted an important quarry, pictured, of a soft rock composed of volcanic materials such as ash, lava, and magma. This rock is known as Aspra tuff, or “tufa,” in Italian. Down the road from where this photo was taken, the villas of Bagheria such as Palagonia, Cattolica, Butera, Valguarnera, and Spedalotto were constructed…
Tag: mount catalfano
Collecting Water
The ruins of the ancient city of Solunto high up on the slope of Mount Catalfano show a sophisticated use of gravity for water collection, as illustrated here by what is left of a large public cistern that sits at the end of the main street. Founded by the Phoenicians circa 700 BC and then…
Il Castello di Solanto
The Castello di Solanto was originally built during the Norman era. Its position in Bagheria along the sea has made it a desirable location for aristocratic Sicilian families who made it their residence over the centuries. The name Solanto is a corruption of Solunto, the ancient Phoenician city upon Mount Catalfano from where this photo…