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>>> 🐧NEW ONE SIBA 2025 🐧<<< 1DA/NE22 Ipogeo of Manomozza (by 1DA086 Carmelo)/ 3 POINTS / DATE: 25july 2025 start @ 07.00 UTC / Freq. stay tuned on WhatsApp SIBA news / PROVINCE 089 (Siracusa)/  Municipality M279 (Priolo Gargallo) 

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The Catacombs of Manomozza are a significant complex of early Christian hypogea (underground burial sites) located in Priolo Gargallo, in the province of Syracuse, Sicily. They represent one of the most important testimonies of Christian archaeology in southeastern Sicily.Discovery and DatingThe Manomozza catacombs were discovered in 1890 by archaeologist Paolo Orsi, who began excavation work in 1902. They are chronologically dated between the 4th and the first half of the 5th century AD.Location and StructureThey are situated near the town of San Focà and are closely linked to the nearby Basilica of San Focà, one of the most important examples of late antique church architecture in the area.The catacombs are carved into calcarenite rock and feature a complex network of narrow, low galleries of varying sizes, called ambulacra. These galleries are generally interspersed with more or less spacious burial chambers (cubicles), intended to house the tombs of a family or associations. The larger spaces, known as crypts, typically contained the tombs of important figures or a martyr, and sometimes religious ceremonies were held there.Inside, you can see unique rooms and cubicles, such as the “room of the baldachins,” characterized by the presence of canopy-style sarcophagi. There are also Greek inscriptions on the walls providing information about the deceased. The monumental nature of the architectural solutions and the use of particular scenic effects, as well as structural similarities with the catacombs of Malta, confirm the dating between the 4th and 5th centuries AD.The original entrances were inconveniently steep and narrow staircases carved into the rock; in the 4th century, they were replaced with wider, more comfortable access points. Ventilation and illumination were provided by skylights, funnel-shaped openings that reached the surface.Characteristics and Importance * Types of Burials: The catacombs primarily feature loculi (rectangular burial niches in the walls) and arcosolia, which are semi-circular niches topped by an arch, often containing the bodies of important individuals or martyrs. * Inscriptions: The inscriptions, often in Greek, offer details about the deceased. For instance, an inscription identifying a deceased named Salbia and another mentioning Marcia have been found. * Architecture and Scenography: The Manomozza catacombs are distinguished by their scenic beauty and unique architectural solutions, such as the “room of the baldachins” with a domed ceiling and a central oculus. * Territorial Context: The territory of Priolo Gargallo is rich in early Christian hypogea, some of which are scattered across the countryside or incorporated into industrial settlements.The Catacombs of Manomozza are also the subject of studies and surveys by the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology (PIAC), testifying to their historical and archaeological significance.   https://www.antoniorandazzo.it/provinciasiracusa/catacombe-manomozza.html. 

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