Area Archaeologica di Cave di Cusa

Western Sicily


Most of the buttery yellow stone used to construct the great temples of Selinunte was hewn at these ancient Greek quarries. The setting is charming – overgrown and wild, it's dotted with olive trees and wildflowers. Huge column drums forever awaiting transport to Selinunte are scattered around, and if you look carefully you will come across two carved columns ready for extraction. When removed, the columns would have been transported to Selinunte across wooden logs by oxen or slaves.

The site is about 17km northwest of Selinunte. Head 4km north on SS115dir, then 9km west on SP56 to Campobello di Mazara; from Campobello, follow the series of signposted backroads 4km further to reach the site. From Mazara del Vallo, take the SS115 east for 11km to Campobello di Mazara, then follow the signs 4.5km south to Cave di Cusa.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Western Sicily attractions

1. Sanctuary of Malophoros

5.39 MILES

Walk west about 20 minutes from the acropolis across the now-dry river Modione (formerly the Selinon), then up a dirt path, and you'll reach the ravaged…

2. Ancient City

5.74 MILES

Occupying the hill of Manuzza, to the north of the acropolis, the Ancient City, where most of Selinunte's inhabitants lived, is the least excavated of all…

3. Temple D

5.85 MILES

Northernmost of the temples on Selinunte's Acropolis is Temple D, built towards the end of the 6th century BC and dedicated to either Neptune or Venus.

4. Temple C

5.88 MILES

Virtually the symbol of Selinunte, Temple C is the oldest temple on the site, built in the middle of the 6th century BC. The stunning metopes found by…

5. Acropolis

5.9 MILES

The Acropolis, the heart of Selinunte's political and social life, occupies a slanted plateau overlooking the now-silted-up Gorgo di Cottone. Huddled in…

6. Temple A

5.91 MILES

Temple A, along with Temple O, is closer to the sea than Selinunte's other temples. These two are also Selinunte's most recent temples, dating back…

7. Temple B

5.91 MILES

Up on Selinunte's Acropolis, this smaller temple dates from the Hellenistic period and could have been dedicated to the Agrigentan physiologist and…

8. Temple O

5.91 MILES

Temple O, along with Temple A, is closer to the sea than Selinunte's other temples. These two are also Selinunte's most recent temples, dating back…