Colonne di San Basilio

Colonne di San Basilio is an archaeological site in Lentini featuring 32 limestone columns arranged in a rectangular pattern measuring about 18 by 16 meters. The columns stood on stone foundations and are remains from buildings spanning multiple eras, from antiquity through the medieval period.

The site shows traces from prehistoric times through the Byzantine period with evidence of Greek military installations. Romans and later Byzantines reused and adapted the older structures for their own purposes.

The site takes its name from Saint Basil and shows signs of interaction between local settlements and Greek colonists from Chalcis. Visitors can see at the ruins how different peoples used and transformed the same place over centuries.

The area is covered with thick vegetation and requires careful walking as some stone sections are unstable. It is best visited in good daylight and with sturdy footwear for safety.

Archaeologist Paolo Orsi discovered that the columns originally supported stone slabs and were part of a water system serving military fortifications. This function remained unknown for a long time and makes the site valuable for understanding ancient infrastructure.

Location: Lentini

GPS coordinates: 37.33694,14.85472

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:47