Grotta Mangiapane: a hidden cave settlement frozen in time
| Last updated: under construction |
In the spring of 2022, I took a month-long break to spend time in Sicily. It offered the perfect opportunity to go beyond the typical tourist attractions and uncover some hidden gems I'd long wanted to visit. One place, in particular, had been on my mind for a while: Grotta Mangiapane. Nestled within the Mount Cofano Nature Reserve on the island's northwest coast, it intrigued me. And so, as I made my way from San Vito lo Capo to Erice, I couldn't resist taking a detour to explore this unique site.
A view of the charming village of Grotta Mangiapane, with its earthy-colored houses, shot with my drone.
Measuring 70 meters in height, 13 meters in width, and 50 meters in depth, Grotta Mangiapane is the largest of the nine caves collectively known as Grotte di Scurati. These Scurati Caves once served as a prehistoric settlement, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period (40,000 to 10,000 years ago). Archaeologists uncovered prehistoric artifacts, including animal bones, worked flints, and obsidian. While I haven't seen them, the official website suggests that archeologists also found several rock paintings. These paintings earned Grotta Mangiapane the nickname Grotta degli Uffizi, a nod to Florence's famous Uffizi Galleries.
Image text
What makes Grotta Mangiapane truly special is its more recent history. In 1819, the Mangiapane family, whose name the cave now bears, moved in and transformed it into a tiny village with charming earth-colored houses. The first home stood at the very back of the cave. As the family grew, they gradually built more houses from the inside out. When the cave eventually became too small for the expanding family, they built additional homes, stables, and workshops along the rock face and beyond.
Image text
The Mangiapane family called the cave their home for nearly 150 years until the last member left in the 1950s. After that, the village and its picturesque houses were abandoned and fell into decay.
Fortunately, locals restored the site in recent years. To recreate the atmosphere of the village as it was 70 years ago, they received the help of the last surviving member of the Mangiapane family, who actually lived there.
Image text
Today, visitors can explore this beautifully preserved village, which feels frozen in time. You can wander through the cave, peek inside the stone houses, and get a glimpse of daily life from the past. Among the restored spaces, you'll find a barber shop, a tavern, a cobbler's workshop, and a traditional doll maker's shop. Each home and workplace still contains its original tools and furniture, making it feel like stepping into another era.
Let me know in the comments if you've visited Grotta Mangiapane! I'd love to hear your experiences or thoughts on this unique spot.
Image text
Practical information
|
|
