The catacombs of the Mulinello are part of an archaeological site along the valley of the river Mulinello, which crosses the municipalities of Melilli and Augusta. The site includes a Bronze Age necropolis, the remains of a small Neolithic settlement and an early Christian catacomb. The catacomb was dug between the third and fourth centuries AD and used until the beginning of the Byzantine age; it was discovered and studied by Paolo Orsi in 1902, and after him it was examined by Joseph Führer and Viktor Schultze.
What to see
The entrance is on the side of the valley, in a rock ledge, on a hill called Cozzo del Monaco. Just inside, the wall tombs begin, continuing along all the corridors as far as a large chamber. There you see the remains of two canopy tombs, partly damaged, pit tombs everywhere and, on the walls, large arcosolia for several burials.
On the same site is the Bronze Age necropolis, discovered by Orsi in 1892: rock-cut chamber tombs with tholos vaults, typical of the Thapsos culture, and entrances with cornices carved in the rock. Mycenaean pottery was found there, including an oinochoe with three handles, and remains of Greek vases suggest that the necropolis was reused in the archaic period.
Visiting
It is a site in the countryside, in the river valley: access and conditions should be checked before going.
Our editors' tip
Do not expect paintings or grave goods: the catacomb was plundered over the centuries, and few finds remain, jewellery and coins of the fourth century. On the walls look instead for the incised signs, some crosses and an omega.
