Porta del Sole and Cavallo del Sole, Custonaci’s Stone Calendars

The stone calendars

In the heart of western Sicily, the town of Custonaci preserves evidence of prehistoric settlements not only within its caves, such as Mangiapane Cave, but throughout the surrounding territory and hinterland. Among these sites are two mysterious megalithic monuments, known as the “Gate of the Sun” and the “Horse of the Sun” which stand on the slopes of Mount Sparagio, offering glimpses into an ancient past yet to be uncovered. These were most likely prehistoric astronomical calendars, positioned by the early inhabitants of the area to mark the passage of the seasons and organise village life throughout the year.

Borgo Custonaci - Un tesoro di borgo Portale turistico della Città di Custonaci a Custonaci

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The Gate of the Sun is an imposing trilithon located at Piana delle Ferule, on the north-western slope of Mount Sparagio, approximately six kilometres from the Giacolamaro Woods. This monument consists of two vertical stones topped by a large horizontal slab, forming a kind of stone portal. Its unique feature lies in the alignment of its central opening with the sun during the winter solstice: at sunset, the sun’s rays pass precisely through the trilithon’s gap, creating a striking display of light.

Not far from the “Gate of the Sun”, at Rocca Russa on the southern slope of Mount Sparagio, stands the “Horse of the Sun”, also known as “Pegasus”. This zoomorphic monolith, approximately 1.7 metres tall, resembles the shape of a horse and rests on two fragile pillars, shaped by human hands.

Here, too, during the winter solstice, the sun sets directly between the “legs” of the monolith. The remarkable alignment between the sun’s position and the precise gaps within the monoliths continues to astonish visitors. The sophistication of these solar measurements affirms Custonaci as a “miniature Stonehenge”, a cradle of prehistoric civilisations waiting to be explored.