monte Jato archaeological area 

Monte Jato: the house of the Gods

At the summit of Mount Jato, 850 meters above sea level, lie the remains of an urban center that embodies the cosmopolitan nature of ancient Sicily. Founded at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC by indigenous Sicanian-Elymian populations, the site bears witness to an early and peaceful coexistence with the Greeks. Iconic symbols of this cultural fusion include the Temple of Aphrodite (c. 550 BC)—an oikos-style structure combining local and overseas architectural traditions—and the rich furnishings uncovered within its Archaic houses.

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Spanning 40 hectares and fortified by thick defensive walls, the city—known as Iaitas in Greek and Ietas in Latin—reached its peak during the Hellenistic period (4th–2nd century BC). During this era, the urban layout was enriched with major monuments:

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• The Theater: Built to accommodate up to 4,400 spectators.

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• The Civic Centers: A vast porticoed agora and two bouleuteria (council chambers).

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• "Peristyle House 1": One of the most imposing private residences in the Hellenistic world (spanning over 1,600 sq meters across two floors), complete with banquet halls capable of hosting 70 guests and a bathroom served by heated water.

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Surviving into the Middle Ages under the name Giato, the city became a stronghold for Muslim rebels until 1246, when Frederick II destroyed it and deported its inhabitants to Apulia.

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Since 1971, excavation campaigns led by the University of Zurich—later joined by the University of Innsbruck and the Gruppi Archeologici d'Italia—have continued to bring this extraordinary heritage to light through a multidisciplinary approach.