Una passeggiata a… Monti Climiti

Il luogo è un ex feudo, allora chiamato Monte Climato, e apparteneva nel 1408 alla famiglia Castello che se ne investiva insieme al limitrofo feudo di Diddino. Presto passò di mano, maritale nomine, cioè come bene dotale a seguito di matrimonio, alla famiglia Speciale che lo tenne fino al 1580 quando passò ancora una volta di mano alla famiglia Ibarra, dopo un breve periodo in potere dei Barresi. Gli Ibarra che risiedevano in Spagna concessero nel 1736 alla famiglia Beneventano i feudi Monte Climato, Diddino, Frescuccia e Belfronte con contratto d’enfiteusi e diritto al titolo baronale. Quest’ultima famiglia restò in possesso dei feudi ben oltre l’abolizione del regine feudale nel 1812. Vista la natura dei luoghi l’attività prevalente praticata sul monte era l’allevamento del bestiame oltre alla cura delle rade colture di olivi e carrubbi.

Dalla strada dirigetevi verso il monte e avventuratevi in una bella scarpinata fino ai suoi 293 metri, troverete facilmente, anche per la presenza di diverse frecce segnaletiche indicanti il percorso, una tipica mulattiera scavata nei fianchi della montagna.

Giunti in cima, sbucherete proprio ai margini di una cava di tufo e dopo aver ammirato il bel panorama che vi permetterà di spaziare lo sguardo dalla valle dell’Anapo al mare di Siracusa, seguite il bordo roccioso in direzione Ovest. Attraversando terreni brulli alternati a colture foraggere arriverete ad una masseria che, nella chiave di volta di uno dei suoi ambienti, riporta la data di costruzione 1886.

Once in Belvedere Carancino continue along the road towards Floridia-Priolo, arrived at the crossroads turn towards Priolo and just passed the ramp of highway access, near a fort of World War II, along the SP 25, parked the car along the street. The small mountains that you see above you is the so called “Monte Climiti”.

The site is a former fiefdom, then called Monte climato, and belonged in 1408 to the Castle family that if they invested with the neighboring fief of Diddino. Soon changed hands, marital appointments, that is as good dowry by marriage, to the family Special who held it until 1580 when it passed once again hand the Ibarra family, after a brief period in power of Barresi. The Ibarra who resided in Spain granted in 1736 to the Benevento family feuds Monte climato, Diddino, Frescuccia and Belfronte with lease contract and the right to the title of Barons. The latter family remained in possession of the feuds beyond the abolition of the feudal queens in 1812. Given the nature of the places, the main activity practiced on the mountain was raising cattle in addition to the care of sparse olive crops and carob.

From the road head to the mountain and venture out on a trek up to its 293 meters, easy to find, even for the presence of different arrows signs indicating the route, a typical mule trail carved into the mountainside.

At the top, then you come right at the edge of a tuff quarry and after admiring the beautiful view that will let your eyes wander from the Anapo valley to the sea of Syracuse, follow the rocky edge in the direction West. Through barren land alternated with forage crops you will come to a farm that, in the keystone of one of its rooms, reports the construction date in 1886.

After a short rest, always following the rocky ridge, or if you prefer interpoderale through a dirt road that starts from the farm, you can reach the so-called Castelluccio. The building probably riutilizato and expanded during the period of the “Troubles” in mid-fourteenth century, now consisting only ruins difficult architectural interpretation, it represented the advanced observation station of a small Byzantine community that lived right in the small valley below.

At the foot of Castelluccio was the entrance of a small cave chapel, the entrance formed by a low brick arch tanned holding the entire masonry wall and closed the illegal entry of entirely carved into the limestone cave. Within a long stone pier was probably used by the faithful during religious rituals, in the innermost part of an altar, now badly damaged, it was taken from the wall and perhaps provided the chair for the priest. Around the altar remains are still visible faint traces of painted decorations. From the road that are close to the Castelluccio after about 2 km you will reach the Italian farm where you can find one of the finest dairy farms of our regions and an adjoining farm. From there, after maybe tasted the warm ricotta with bread baked in a wood oven, you can return to the car by the same road already made the first leg.

If you are an experienced hiker and you are not tired, I suggest, however, continue until the so-called “Great Casino” a beautiful fortified farm built by the Beneventano on the late eighteenth century.

From the farm Italy go down the paved road that runs along the ENEL dam, passing a gate, almost always open, but in any case easily accessible by pedestrians, turn right at the first crossing you meet along the long dry wall that runs along the Street. Now follow the dirt road to the big Casino that given its size you will soon see. Here joints do not allow yourselves to be discouraged by the conditions of the property, now reduced to ruins.

Admire the entrance portal topped by an overhead guard and the beautiful mask placed on the keystone. On the left of the entrance gate that remains of the church in which, until a few decades ago, one could see many frescoes. After visiting the “Casino great” follow the road that you will find to the small quarry below. Through this path following the edge of the relief from the slope Priolo, towards Belvedere, arriving after about an hour and a half back to the tufa quarry where you can fall back, by the same trail, carved on the rock, made in the first leg.

Author: La nostra terra

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