Discovering rock churches in Pantalica and the traces of the first Christians in Syracuse.

The Pantalica area (the very famous rock cut necropolis has been used since the Prehistoric times) was also used for residential, spiritual and funerary purposes also in the Byzantine period and in the following centuries. In this regard, you can admire some truly suggestive places, dug entirely into the rock.
-S. Micidiario: near the entrance of Filiporto there is a village of about 150 houses with the small church of S. Micidiario on the edge of a chasm. Inside, faint traces of frescoes and wall inscriptions are still visible. However, we recognize the figure of the Pantocrator flanked by two angels and another figure, perhaps a saint. There are probably two layers of fresco, the lower reddish one and the upper blue one.
-S. Nicolicchio: next to the Anaktoron (the ancient princely palace) there is a small village with the oratory of S. Nicolicchio, also decorated with traces of a very ruined fresco. However, Sant'Elena and Santo Stefano are recognized. The dating seems to be from the 7th century.
-Grotta del Crocifisso: used as a church, has a rectangular apse with the remains of a crucifixion as well as the representation of St. Nicholas and an anonymous saint whose representation has been detached and kept at the "Paolo Orsi" Archaeological Museum in Syracuse.

Continue your tour, surrounded by nature and make a stop at the Pantalica ranch. You can also go for a horse ride after lunch.

This is an incredible place to discover! The Catacombs in Syracuse hosted one of the biggest Christian community of the first Christianity and the extension of the Catacombs is second only to those in Rome. The Catacomb of St. John was mostly excavated between 315 and 360 AD, and remained in use until the end of the 5th century. They are the best preserved and a guided tour is necessary here: you might get lost in the corridors and rock-cut tombs!

A second important Catacomb in the city is the Catacomb of St.Lucy. They were excavated starting from the 4th century AD, and were frequented for many centuries; even after losing their original function as a cemetery, they welcomed small underground places of Christian devotion, among which the most important is undoubtedly the Sepulcher of Santa Lucia, the patron of the city, which today stands isolated but was once an integral part of the galleries.

After a busy day take a break at the B&B and get ready for dinner and an evening stroll

We suggest to have a relaxing dinner here, in this very nice bistrot, where you can eat genuine food...and drink very good birras!

And if you want an after dinner, here is the right place for you!

Another exciting day has ended, tomorrow we will move to the Hyblean plateau, to discover some other ancient Christian places, but now it's time to sleep!