Idea #743 – Visiting the ancient city of Heraclea Minoa in Sicily
Heraclea Minoa or Eraclea Minoa is an archaeological site in Sicily, located in Cattolica Eraclea. This ancient city was located on the southern coast of Sicily, at the mouth of the Halycus River, about 30 kilometers northwest of Agrigento.
Outpost of Selinunte, Minoa would have been mythologically founded by King Minos, whose name it keeps. When Dorieus’ expedition fails, the Spartan survivors settle in Minoa to which they would have added the name of a mythological ancestor, Heracles, giving the new full name of Heraclea Minoa. After Agrigento seized Minoa, the city passed into the hands of the Carthaginians, following the treaty of 405 BC. Heraclea Minoa was again won by Dionysius during the First Punic War, but finally returned to Carthage in 383 BC.
Archaeological excavations at the site of Heraclea Minoa have revealed a necropolis from the 6th century BC, a theater from the end of the 4th century BC, fortifications with square towers in limestone and mudbrick, similar to the wall of Gela, and a district of housing, also with elevations in raw earth.
Some Pictures
Where is it ?
Héracléa Minoa, Sicily, Italia