Acropolis Archaeological Area (Molino a Vento) – Gela (CL)
Gela, one of the largest Greek colonies in Sicily, was founded in 689-688 BC by Greek colonists from the islands of Rhodes and Crete, led respectively by ecisti Antifemo and Entimo. The city occupies a plateau of the hill, extended in the direction E-O, whose eastern end, now known as the Molino a Vento, becomes the seat of the acropolis, with predominantly sacred function.
The area, bordered to the east by the river Gela, and well defended by steep walls on the east and south, overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and extends for about 400 meters to the West.
After the severe defeat of Gela in 405 a.C., by the Carthaginians, the Acropolis is occupied by craft districts and some of the existing buildings are rebuilt, however, changing its intended use.
The site Molino a Vento was abandoned around the end of the fourth century.