MEGARA HYBLAEA
The archeological site is situated in a strange
landscape, stranded between the sea and the chimneys of the Augusta oil
refinery. The Greek colony of Megara Hyblaea, founded by the Megarians of
Greece in 728 BC, was twice razed to the ground: once in 483 BC by Gelon, the
tyrant of Gela, and again by the Romans in 213 BC.
Excavations – The necropolis lies outside the
town walls, alongside the older enclosure walls (before crossing the railway
bridge, by the bend, take the dirt track off to the right). Beyond the entrance
extends one of the decumani that once lead to the agorà
(market-place). One of the particular characteristics of the site is the clear
evidence of successive building phases as Archaic constructions give way to
Hellenistic ones above. On the left of the piazza sits a sanctuary,
recognisable by the semicircular north end wall. Follow D 1, a street on the
left, which passes alongside a large Hellenistic house from the 4C-2C BC
(entrance marked by iron steps); this comprises some 20 rooms arranged around
two courtyards, a rectangular one with a well in the middle, and a second
diamond-shaped one. Some rooms preserve remains of opus signinum floors
(an amalgam of clay particles mixed with minute pieces of rubble, bound together
with lime). In each case, the thresholds of the various internal doorways are
clearly visible, together with the grooves into which fit the door jambs.
To the left of the agorà, lie the
Hellenistic baths. The boiler is discernible (below the metal walkway) as is a
round room used for ablutions which once would have been ringed with basins.
Further along C1 (right of the baths) is a Pritaneo (where magistrates
would meet) from the Archaic period (6C BC) built of characteristic square,
regular-cut stones. The decumanus continues beyond the square, as far as
the West Gate and fortifications from the Hellenistic period, built with
regular blocks, reinforced with defence towers.
EXCURSIONS
Augusta – Approx 15km north, Augusta is an
important Italian commercial port concerned primarily with oil refineries and
the production of “green” (lead-free) petrol. This industrial conglomeration
has incurred considerable damage be it as a result of the 1693 earthquake, the
Allied bombing of 1943, or, indeed following major seismic tremors as recently
as 1990.
The town was founded by Frederick II on account
of its strategic position with regard to defending the Bay of Augusta; hence
the overpowering defensive quality of the Swabian castle, despite its neglected
state of repair. The entrance to the citadel is by the Spanish Gate, flanked by
two imposing bastions. The main axis of the old town is Corso Principe
Umberto, the commercial thoroughfare which runs north to south.
Brucoli – 23km north of Megara Hyblaea. This
charming fishing-village clusters around its picturesque little harbour which
nesties in the mouth of the River Porcaria. The 15C castle (closed to the
public) occupying the very tip of the headland where the viliage has grown up,
enjoys a marvellous view of the harbour on one side and the ample Golfo di
Brucoli on the other.