Castelvetrano - Rocche di Cusa

Rocche di Cusa or Cave di Campobello is the name given to the ancient quarries of Selinunte 11km/7mi southwest of Castelvetrano. The road is taken to Campobello di Mazara, from where it is necessary to travel 3.5km/2mi along a narrow by-road. On the site, which is today attractively overgrown, the stones for the buildings of Selinunte were hewn, until operations ceased when Selinunte was attacked and destroyed by Carthage in 409 B.C. Since then fragments have lain scattered across the site at all stages of production, from column bases only just hacked out of the rock to others that were almost ready to be transported to Selinunte 10km/6mi away. This was the source of the enormous blocks, column bases and capitals of Temple G, the weights of which could be as much as 100 tons. This quarry therefore gives an insight into the technical skills of people in ancient times and causes one to reflect on their achievements in transporting heavy loads.