Megaliths
Argimusco plateau: a work of nature or a work of man?
31 May 2022 - Categorie: Rural tourism, Nature tourism, The places of the heart Tags:
In wonderful north-eastern Sicily, a destination for national and international tourism, rises the Argimusco: a plateau located in the province of Messina, just north of the Etna, between the Nebrodi and Peloritani mountains and is divided between the towns of Montalbano Elicona, Tripi and Roccella Valdemone. A perfect destination and starting point to explore the beauties of this fantastic island during your holidays.
The Plateau is a magical place from which you can enjoy an unprecedented view: you can admire the volcano Etna, the Aeolian Islands and various mountain ranges such as Rocca Salvatesta and Capo Tindari up close. And let's not forget the nearby Nebrodi which, with their 70 square km rich in suggestive woods, green high altitude pastures and silent lakes, offer endless destinations and tourist attractions.
In this area there are numerous quartz sandstone rocks with zoomorphic shapes (such as that of an eagle or lion) and anthropomorphic (such as that of the priest or praying woman, a female figure in a praying position) which, in addition to making the site unique, they tickle the almost automatic comparison with the English sisters of Stonehenge. The particular and suggestive shapes of megaliths have for a long time placed a very blurred boundary between what could have been the work of nature and what could have been the work of man: still today some scholars are wondering how and if man was able to create such an evocative context. However, the findings in general, also based on the lack of empirical data about the human presence in the past in the area, indicate that the nature of these blocks of rock is to be associated with wind erosion and that they have therefore been modeled over the millennia by weathering. Particularly interesting were the studies by Andrea Orlando, PhD in nuclear astrophysics and president of the Institute of Sicilian Archaeoastronomy, about the possible presence of astronomical alignments of the rocks that would give them a ritual and even calendar function. A place suspended between nature and mystery, where you can breathe the countless smells and admire the many colors of the north-eastern countryside. What better destination to explore this silent glimpse of Sicily during your trip?
Detail from the footpath
Overview
But the surprises do not end here as there is a wonderful trekking route that winds around the rocks and allows the exploration of all the main points of interest of the place. The main path starts in front of the Argimusco Plateau parking lot and can be covered in 30/40 minutes, very simple, with flat shapes and suitable for everyone. From this path, it is possible to visit all the best known megaliths including:
- Great Mammoth;
- The door;
- The Lion's Gate or Priest: a space between two menhirs from which it is possible to see the sunrise during the solstices;
- The Rupe dell’Acqua or Orante: it is the most famous megalith, on top of which there is a rectangular basin where it is believed that in the past the sacred rites of water took place;
- The head of a Snake;
Let yourself be enveloped by the mystery and caressed by the clean air of this unprecedented place in the name of peace and serenity during your time in Sicily. What are you waiting for? We also recommend one of our closest luxury villas to this spectacular location as the perfect base for your vacation.
Recommended villas
Il Faro di Brucoli: In the heart of the small fishing village of Brucoli, in the province of Syracuse and a few minutes by car from Catania, this wonderful residence is born. Built in 1911 and recently restored with taste and elegance, the residence has been transformed into a luxury lighthouse, the only one of its kind in all of Sicily! Let yourself be inebriated by the senses of this splendid place that smells of the sea, let yourself be lulled by its breeze and let yourself be given that fantastic view of the Ionian Sea and His Majesty, the Etna.
Nerello Mascalese: Splendid country residence located on the slopes of the Etna volcano, very close to the characteristic town of Randazzo. With its 5 bedrooms, it is ready to welcome you whether you are with family or friends for a holiday of peace and quiet, detached from the chaos of the city. The residence has many shaded corners in which to relax and a delightful private swimming pool in which to cool off in the hottest hours and be able to observe the wonderful panorama over the hills of Eastern Sicily.
Buena Vista: Majestic and elegant private villa in one of the most sought-after cities by world tourism: Taormina. With its 3000 square meters of garden, get ready for a holiday in the colors of eastern Sicily, enjoy the quiet inside the wonderful Jacuzzi located on the terrace of the house to give you an unprecedented view of the sea and the bay of the city since always most praised by writers, philosophers and artists such as Goethe, Nietzsche and Klimt.
La Timpa: In the heart of a small and characteristic fishing village called Santa Tecla, famous for its many restaurants overlooking the sea and full of fresh fish, this delightful residence is born a few steps from Acireale. With its wonderful private swimming pool surrounded by a lush garden with an all-Mediterranean flavor and with its view of the very blue Sicilian sea, it will give you moments of peace and fun whether you are with family or friends, from adults to children.
Borgo degli Aranci: In the village of Fiumefreddo, at the foot of Mount Etna and in front of the Ionian Sea, this spectacular residence is born, surrounded by citrus trees whose scent of oranges will delight your holidays. The residence is divided into three wonderful houses close to each other and surrounded by 11 hectares of land whose green lawn will lead you to the splendid swimming pool overlooking the gentle slope that naturally slopes towards the sea.
Viagrande: Luxurious villa with private pool located in Viagrande, on the south-eastern side of Etna. Furnished with taste and elegance but with a modern spirit, this splendid residence will give you moments of absolute quiet on its well-equipped and covered terrace or in its swimming pool immersed in the green of the English lawn and surrounded by Mediterranean plants.
Villaetna: Wonderful residence that was born a few kilometers from the Etna Volcano Park, detached from the chaos of the city and the classic tourist circuits to give you the opportunity to breathe the pure and nostalgic Sicily of an aristocratic past. Villaetna is an aristocratic home that has been renovated with great taste and attention to detail to preserve its splendid Baroque architecture. With its fantastic private swimming pool surrounded by the green nature of eastern Sicily, it is ready to give you immense peace and tranquility but also an excellent starting point for exploring this delightful part of the island.
Nerello Mascalese: Splendid country residence located on the slopes of the Etna volcano, very close to the characteristic town of Randazzo. With its 5 bedrooms, it is ready to welcome you whether you are with family or friends for a holiday of peace and quiet, detached from the chaos of the city. The residence has many shaded corners in which to relax and a delightful private swimming pool in which to cool off in the hottest hours and be able to observe the wonderful panorama over the hills of Eastern Sicily.
Buena Vista: Majestic and elegant private villa in one of the most sought-after cities by world tourism: Taormina. With its 3000 square meters of garden, get ready for a holiday in the colors of eastern Sicily, enjoy the quiet inside the wonderful Jacuzzi located on the terrace of the house to give you an unprecedented view of the sea and the bay of the city since always most praised by writers, philosophers and artists such as Goethe, Nietzsche and Klimt.
La Timpa: In the heart of a small and characteristic fishing village called Santa Tecla, famous for its many restaurants overlooking the sea and full of fresh fish, this delightful residence is born a few steps from Acireale. With its wonderful private swimming pool surrounded by a lush garden with an all-Mediterranean flavor and with its view of the very blue Sicilian sea, it will give you moments of peace and fun whether you are with family or friends, from adults to children.
Borgo degli Aranci: In the village of Fiumefreddo, at the foot of Mount Etna and in front of the Ionian Sea, this spectacular residence is born, surrounded by citrus trees whose scent of oranges will delight your holidays. The residence is divided into three wonderful houses close to each other and surrounded by 11 hectares of land whose green lawn will lead you to the splendid swimming pool overlooking the gentle slope that naturally slopes towards the sea.
Viagrande: Luxurious villa with private pool located in Viagrande, on the south-eastern side of Etna. Furnished with taste and elegance but with a modern spirit, this splendid residence will give you moments of absolute quiet on its well-equipped and covered terrace or in its swimming pool immersed in the green of the English lawn and surrounded by Mediterranean plants.
Villaetna: Wonderful residence that was born a few kilometers from the Etna Volcano Park, detached from the chaos of the city and the classic tourist circuits to give you the opportunity to breathe the pure and nostalgic Sicily of an aristocratic past. Villaetna is an aristocratic home that has been renovated with great taste and attention to detail to preserve its splendid Baroque architecture. With its fantastic private swimming pool surrounded by the green nature of eastern Sicily, it is ready to give you immense peace and tranquility but also an excellent starting point for exploring this delightful part of the island.