Santoni, Ancient religious sanctuary in Palazzolo Acreide, Italy.
Santoni is an archaeological site with twelve niches carved directly into rock faces. These hollowed spaces contain sculpted figures of the goddess Cybele and other religious figures associated with her worship.
The site was created between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC when Akrai served as an important link between Greek settlements across Sicily. The carved reliefs reflect how the people of Akrai used their artistic skills to honor their gods.
The carved figures show how people in ancient Akrai worshipped the goddess Cybele through rock art. You can still see how important this deity was to their daily beliefs and practices.
The site is accessible year-round and straightforward to explore since the niches are positioned at eye level or just above. Local experts are available if you want more detailed information about the carvings and their religious meaning.
Many visitors overlook the contrast between the mostly seated figures and one standing figure carved at full life size. This unusual arrangement suggests that one niche held special religious significance for those who carved it.
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