Trekking to discover the garden town of Alia and the fascinating Caves of Gurfa, meeting the artisans of the territory and tasting of local food and wine... A unique relational tourism experience to live in the heart of Palermo's hinterland.
Where: Palermo's hinterland
When: All year round
Duration: 1 day
Meals: "Arrustuta" lunch and tasting of typical products
Available
Mon - Tue - Wed - Thu - Fri - Sat - Sun
Number of participants
Min. 2 - Max 12
Suitable for
Group - trekking, history and tradiction lovers
Languages
Italian - English
Additional Information
Trekking in Alia, Palermo's hinterland:
- - Visit of the old Town
- - Ethno-anthropological museum, Museum of Photography and the permanent “Terra e Luce” (Land and Light) exhibition
- - Bas-relief by Croce Taravella
- - Coffee Break
- - Meeting with the latest living thread-makers
- - Gurfa Caves
- - "Arrustuta" (grill cook-out) and tasting of local products
Program
The excursion begins with a tour through the streets of the old town of Alia. During the visit, you will visit the Ethno-anthropological Museum and the Museum of Photography, with the permanent exhibition called "Terra e Luce, from Gurfa to Roden Carter". Among the photographs exhibited, you can admire those related to the rock architecture complex and the impressive tholos of the Caves of Gurfa of Alia, dating from 3,000 B.C., to which particular prominence was given in the exhibition.
The next stage is the visit of the largest bas-relief in Europe, an imposing work created by Croce Taravella, famous Sicilian artist, depicting scenes of everyday life and legend within the rock complex of Gurfa, such as the Katabasis.
After a coffee break in the most "anti-crisis" bar in the world, with an excellent coffee at only of only €0.20, it is time to meet some of the last living thread-makers, who create their textile works still today according to tradition.
Finally, it is time to take off heading to the millenary Caves of Gurfa, a place shrouded in magic and mystery, where you will be accompanied in a fascinating journey into the past. At the end of the trip, you can enjoy a traditional "arrustuta" (grill cookout) and a tasting of local food and wine, for an original and unique gourmet moment.
No services that are not mentioned under “INCLUDED” are included in the price.
Booking of the excursion must be notifies 2 days in advance,
The payment of the excursion can be made directly upon arrival at the facility.
Comfortable and suitable clothing for the season is recommended: comfortable or walking shoes, sunscreen and hat/cap, sweatshirt in case of chilly temperatures.
Gurfa Caves
Archaeological treasure of the province of Palermo, the Caves of Gurfa are a precious example of rock architecture. Probably dated from the Bronze Age, they form the sub-urban reserve caves of Gurfa together with the settlement of Cozzo Barbarà, the necropolis of the Cozzo Sulfara and the Necropolis of the Gurfa.
Studies on the ancient use of caves, entirely excavated by man, are still underway, but it is deemed to be used as storage area for grain. Some scholars instead postulate that the whole complex had been built to accommodate the remains of the King Minos who, according to legend, died in Sicily.
