The Cave of St. Michael the Archangel (also known as Sant’Angelo Cave)

The Cave of St. Michael the Archangel is a large karst cavity located at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level, within the limestone cliffs on the right bank of the Garga River, nearly opposite the modern town of Saracena. Its strategic position along a natural communication route between the Sybaris Plain and the Tyrrhenian coast suggests its long history of human presence. Archaeological evidence confirms that the cave was continuously inhabited for almost 5,000 years, from the early Neolithic period to the Middle Bronze Age (approximately 6,000–1,500 BCE).

Campanella Cave – A Frontier Sanctuary of the Achaeans of Sybaris

Campanella Cave is a small karst cavity characterized by impressive stalagmite formations that create a highly evocative atmosphere in certain sections. The significant number of Corinthian or colonial ceramic artifacts, particularly arranged around the edges of a central hearth, has led archaeologists to determine that the cave was used for religious purposes between the 7th and 6th centuries BCE.

Located within the Pollino National Park, in the territory of Saracena, Campanella Cave extends approximately 20 meters in length and 2 meters in width. It is easily accessible via a trail starting near the Sanctuary of Madonna della Fiumara. Excavations confirm that the Achaeans of Sybaris used the cave as a sanctuary, as evidenced by the ceramic remains discovered on-site.

Citavetere – The Enotrian City from 1,800 BCE

The rocky hill of Citavetere, overlooking the Garga River valley, represents a typical settlement of a Bronze Age community. Identified as the site of the ancient Enotrian city of Sestio, Citavetere dates back to the early Middle Bronze Age (circa 1,800–1,700 BCE).

Its morphological characteristics, including a dominant position and natural defenses formed by steep slopes, suggest it was a fortified hilltop settlement. Historical sources indicate that the ancient city of Sestio was conquered by the Saracens in 900 CE and later destroyed by an imperial Byzantine army. The survivors established a new settlement on the opposite bank of the Garga River, which later became the present-day town of Saracena.

Today, Citavetere stands as an important archaeological site, offering valuable insights into the presence and development of Enotrian communities in the region during the Bronze Age.