Tindari Archeological Park

Tindari: a crossroads of cultures in the heart of the Mediterranean

In the 18th century, Italy was a must-go-to destination on the 'Grand Tour', an educational itinerary that led writers and artists from all over Europe to scour the Mediterranean for the roots of western civilisation. Many - among them Goethe - stopped off on the shores of Sicily, where history had brought together Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Norman cultures. One of the favourite destinations of these forerunners of modern art tourism was Tindari.

Greek-Roman Tindari

Founded in 396 B.C. by Dionysius I as a colony of Magna Graecia, Tindari stands on top of a rocky promontory overlooking the Gulf of Patti. The name Tyndaris was given in honour of the King of Sparta Tyndaros, and Castor and Pollux were elected protectors of the city - as evidenced by their images on the coins of the time.

Having become independent from Syracuse, Tindari was invaded by the Carthaginians during the First Punic War; in 254 BC it spontaneously chose to ally itself with Rome and seek its protection. It thus acquired the status of 'civitas decumana', and enjoyed autonomy and freedom in return for the annual payment of tithes. As a sign of gratitude for the loyalty of the Tindarites, Scipio Africanus donated a superb gold statue of Mercury to the city. Under Augustus, the city was renamed Colonia Augusta Tyndaritanorum. In late imperial and Byzantine times it retained its importance as an episcopal see - until it was conquered and destroyed by the Arabs in the 9th century.

Temples and monuments

In 1808, the painter and archaeologist Robert Fagan (who would be appointed British Consul General the following year) obtained a concession from Ferdinand of Bourbon to excavate the whole of Sicily, and he began his digs at Tindari. This saw the start of an intense activity that led to the discovery of coins, inscriptions and statues, and the discovery of monumental centers testifying to the worship of various pagan divinities.

The ancient city

Surrounded by a Dionysian wall over 3 kilometres long built in the first half of the 3rd century B.C., the ancient city was dominated by the Acropolis - located where the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Tindari stands today. At the south-west corner of the fortification are the remains of a funerary monument from the Roman imperial period. The urban layout consisted of three large parallel arteries (decumani) intersected perpendicularly by narrower streets (cardines). The upper decumanus connected the main public buildings: the Basilica and the Theatre.

The Basilica and the Theatre

The Basilica with its grandiose entrance portico dates back to the Augustan Age. It was intended for official functions, or used as a gymnasium for exercising. The Greek-Roman Theatre of Tindari, built with large sandstone blocks, dates back to the beginning of the 3rd century B.C. and preserves part of its monumental three-tier stage structure which was modified in imperial times to be suitable for circus games. Today, it is the venue for numerous dance, music and theatre events.

The Baths of the Imperial Age

The public baths, on the upper terrace giving on to the decumanus, date back to the middle imperial age. On the floors of the baths, there are black and white mosaics with various figures (the symbols of Tyndaris and Trinacria, Dionysian scenes, sea creatures), dating from the late 2nd to early 3rd century AD.

The fruits of the excavation campaigns: the Antiquarium

The Antiquarium is divided into five rooms and houses a selection of exhibits from prehistoric to Roman times. The materials are arranged topographically and chronologically, and include valuable and everyday pottery, glass, bronze objects, inscriptions in Greek and Latin, architectural decorations and numerous marble sculptures. These include two 'Winged Victories' from the 2nd century BC and a head-portrait of the Emperor Augustus from the Basilica's area.