Gela acropolis

Gela acropolis was the religious and administrative center of an ancient Greek settlement with temples, houses, and shops spread across the hilltop. The structures follow a planned grid arrangement with straight streets, typical of how Greeks organized their colonies.

Greek settlers from Rhodes and Crete founded this settlement around 688 BC and built a temple for the goddess Athena in the following century. The colony thrived as a trading post before gradually declining.

The place reveals how Greek settlers maintained their religious practices and built a community far from their homeland. The ruins show the connections between this distant colony and the Mediterranean world.

The site sits mostly in the open with little shade, so sun protection and water are essential when visiting. Information panels throughout the grounds explain the different ruins and their original purposes.

The site contains rare fortifications made from sun-dried mud bricks dating to the 4th century BC, showing how Greeks adapted to local materials. This building method was uncommon in the region and reflects practical choices rather than typical Greek construction.