Uncovered through archaeological excavations between 1952 and 1969, the prehistoric settlement of Montagnola di Capo Graziano stands on a terrace 100 metres above sea level on the island of Filicudi. Dating to the Middle Bronze Age, the village was established when the local population moved from the earlier settlement at Filo Braccio to this higher position for defensive purposes.
What to see
The settlement spans the plateau and upper slopes, consisting of 27 oval huts built against one another. The huts range from 3 to 6 metres in diameter and feature dry-stone perimeter walls 50 to 60 centimetres thick, which originally supported wooden roof frameworks over semi-subterranean floors. Archaeological finds record the shift from the first to the second phase of the Capo Graziano culture (1650–1400 BC), including wheel-made Aegean imported ceramics decorated with brown and red designs. The southern portion of the village reveals a major structural shift corresponding to the Thapsos-Milazzese culture (1400–1190 BC), when incoming Sicilian groups modified existing structures to create fortified housing. Archaeologist Luigi Bernabò Brea noted that the concentration of Aegean ceramic fragments demonstrates Filicudi's role as a key Mediterranean trading post, serving as a terminus where Aegean sailors exchanged manufactured goods for raw materials.
Visiting
Visitors to the plateau can observe the physical layout of the 27 oval huts and their dry-stone bases. Walking through the elevated site offers a direct view of the architectural changes over time, contrasting the earlier domestic layouts with the reinforced buildings of the site's later period.
Our editors' tip
Pay close attention to the southern cluster of dwellings, where the physical overlay of newer masonry directly onto older hut foundations clearly illustrates the transition between the site's two distinct cultural eras.