Kamarina

Kamarina is an ancient Greek settlement on Sicily's southern coast with remains of defensive walls, houses, temples, and a burial ground scattered across a promontory. The ruins reveal how a typical Greek trading town was organized and built in this Mediterranean location.

The settlement was founded around 599 BC by colonists from Syracuse and became an important stop along Mediterranean trade routes. Decades of prosperity ended when Carthaginian forces destroyed the city, bringing an end to its role as a regional commercial hub.

The site's museum displays pottery, coins, and small sculptures that reveal how residents lived and what they valued in daily life. These objects show the mix of Greek and local traditions that shaped the community over centuries.

The ruins are accessible via marked paths that guide you through different parts of the settlement and make navigation straightforward. Morning or late afternoon visits work best, as the low sun helps you see the structures and layouts more clearly against the landscape.

The site sits between two rivers, the Ippari and Oanis, which provided natural protection for the settlement and shaped its boundaries. The ancient founders chose this location specifically for these geographic advantages, making it both defensible and ideal for a trading port.

Location: Vittoria

Inception: 599 BCE

Website: http://regione.sicilia.it/beniculturali/dirbenicult/database/page_musei/pagina_musei.asp?ID=29&IdSito=121

GPS coordinates: 36.87349,14.44547

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:56