Cimillà

Several distinct themes come together for a trip to Cimillà: the SP81 scenic road, the fortified Masseria Relais Cimillà, and paleontological finds from a karst cave in Contrada Cimillà. Each offers a different perspective on the landscape, architectural history, and natural history. When considering the destination for a stay, you can weigh these perspectives according to your interests: one focus is the route and the views, another is historic architecture or the Pleistocene finds.

SP81 Scenic Road and Landscape

The SP81 scenic road begins at Contrada Cimillà on the SP25 Ragusa Marina, follows the SP37 in the direction of Camemi, and rejoins the SP25. Camemi is named as the direction of the stretch along the SP37; the route then returns to the SP25. The SP81 passes through rural areas with dry-stone walls, carob trees, and masserie. From the route, there are elevated views across large parts of the hilly area near the coast, extending towards Pozzallo and Malta. For travelers, two scales complement one another here: individual landscape features along the route and the expansive view across a wider area. Dry-stone walls are built by fitting the stones together without mortar.

Relais Cimillà: Fortified Masseria

Relais Cimillà is an old fortified masseria that was rebuilt in 1700 on the structure of an old noble castle. The year 1700 dates the rebuilding; the noble castle is the older architectural reference. The two periods can thus be distinguished without equating the rebuilding with the castle’s construction.

Around the large central courtyard, the baglio, stood the workers’ houses, the owner’s house, and a small church. Here, baglio refers to the large central courtyard and, by extension, the center of the spatial layout. The owner’s house was larger and more elaborately decorated than the other houses. This makes the complex understandable as a structured ensemble: the courtyard connects the arrangement of the buildings, while the owner’s house stands apart from the other dwellings in its size and design.

Paleontological Finds in Contrada Cimillà

A karst cave in Contrada Cimillà on the Hyblaean Plateau yielded numerous Pleistocene mammal bones. Remains of the dwarf megacerine Megaloceros (Megaceroides) carburangelensis (De Gregorio, 1925) predominated. Remains of Cervus siciliae Pohlig, Elephas cf. mnaidriensis Adams, Ursus cf. arctos L., and birds were found in smaller numbers. The relative abundance is an important distinction within the find assemblage: the dwarf megacerine predominates, while the other mammals and birds are represented less frequently. Alongside the Masseria’s architectural history, the composition of the Pleistocene animal remains therefore offers a natural-history perspective on Cimillà.

Discover more destinations: Plaja Grande, Monterosso Almo, Pietre Nere San Zagaria, Acate, Giarratana, Vittoria, Punta Braccetto, Michelica

For the broader travel overview: Ragusa.