The Mountain Architecture of Sicily's Gurfa Caves

The Gurfa caves, perched on the southern hills of Palermo province, just outside a small town called Alia in Sicily, Italy, are prehistoric caves excavated out of red sandstone rock. The exact date is unknown but are believed to have existed since 5000BC and inhabited for thousands of years.

The name "Gurfa" derives from the Arab term ‘cave used as a dwelling’. It is believed that the caves were used as a burial site by the Christians in the 4th century. The caves are divided into two levels and contain several rooms. Some rooms on the upper level are only accessible from the outside.

Located at the entrance of the cave is a stable and manger and there is also a bell-shaped room with a skylight. The rooms on the upper level are 3-6 metres high and illuminated via numerous windows. The caves are now open to the public but were, until recently, used as a storage space by local farmers.