Archeologia e paesaggio nella Villa del Casale di Piazza Armerina. La costruzione di un'identità territoriale

Along with the inestimable value of the remains, a peculiarity of the archaeological site ofthe Roman Villa at Casale, near Piazza Armerina, Sicily, is its deep integration in thesurrounding landscape. Since the 16th century, the valley of the Gela river has beendescribed in the chronicles of scholars and travellers. A common aspect is the surprise forthe unusually flourishing landscape, in contrast with the stereotypes of Sicily as barren andarid.The relationship between archaeology and landscape has influenced the recognition of theVilla as a “cultural site”, rather than as a mere source of archaeological findings. Thisperception has nourished the identity of the town. Today, the analysis of this relationshipthroughout the centuries suggest the strategy of a more consistent interpretation of thearchaeological remains within the surrounding landscape, and as part of the ancientItinerarium Antonini. In this respect, it is possible to re-establish the southern access andenhance the more recent excavations.