Cefalà Diana - Arabian Baths

(Local Name: Bagni di Cefalà) To the north of Cefalà Diana, 4km/2mi from Villafrati and reached from there along a side road, are some Arabian baths (Bagni di Cefalà) situated by a bridge. Their date is uncertain (probably 11th century). This site, situated not far from the River Cefalà and a thermal spring, must be one of the most remarkable legacies of Arabian building to be found in Sicily. On the outer wall there are ornamental stripes with Kufic inscriptions. The interior is a room 14x6.50m/46x21ft in size with a barrel-vaulted roof and three deep basins. The rear section of the room is separated off by two pillars which support three stilted arches.

The building was for a long time used as a drinking-place for cattle, but recently it has been restored and opened to the public.