Agricampeggio Acqua di Friso
Località Arvani
88050 Cropani Marina (CZ)
Tel. 333 7290865
E-mail: acquadifriso@tiscali.it
P.I. 00917970790


History, myths and legends

The sanctuary of Acqua di Friso

On the Arvani hills, in locality Acqua di Friso, in the municipality of Cropani Marina, the finds of some stone tools and pieces of oxidiana has induced the experts to date these places back to the Neolithic period.

A more accurate investigation and the finds oh material dating back to the end of the VII century and V century b.C. has made possible to individuate this area as the place of a rural sanctuary maybe connected to the worship of waters, since today still exists a perennial spring and most of the micro-ceramics found there reproduces liquid containers.
Among other manufactures (votive micro-ceramics and black painted pottery) various coins emitted by Crotone, Metaponto and Sybaris mints were found while the finds of different pieces of bricks confirms the existence of a building with clay roof. Furthermore seven areas of different sizes with remains of old structures and a small building maybe once used to exploit a very close clay vein have been individuated. But more detailed information will be given to the guests during the guided tours.

The Archaeological Superintendence also organizes summer research fields in order to experience the excavations and the restoration of the finds. The agro-camping has the opportunity to enrol its guests for these archaeological fields and in order to partecipate it is not required to be an expert but only to be interested and willing to work in the group.

Mythology and legends

“ I was one of the Achaen nymph and no one better than I set the nets and loved the woods”

This was the way Ovidius in his Metamorphosis (ref. 572 and on) told the story of the transformation of the naiad Arethusa, Nereo and Doride’s daughter, into a spring.
In the Greek classic literature the places of most natural beauty were inhabited by the nymphs, handmaids of Diana, goddess of the woods.

Each of them had different tasks. The Naiads inhabited the springs assuring that they would have never dried up. The waters protected by the Naiads were in fact beloved to the gods.

Some of them had medicinal properties, others were thought to inspire mystic visions and were worshipped as sacred places. It seems that the most beautiful was Aegle, from whose relationship with the god of the sun, Elio, the three Graces were born. While it seems that Arethusa’s was one of Artemis’ court and that Arocha, according to the local tradition, offended by a shepherd, was transformed by the sun into the Crocchio river that flows in this area.

A river that, under the name of Arocha, was praised by the historian Plinius (“Amnes navigables sunt Crotalus, Arocha..”) and was once considered navigable near the mouth.
The nymphs still exist all over the world but it’s most probable to see them or feel their presence around the Mediterranean sea.

And in a place of exceptional beauty like this it might happen to meet the nymph who protects Acqua di Friso spring.

 

News : april 2005 opening Archaeological Museum “Antiquariun Cropani” with archaeological find by Acqua di Friso

About " museo di Cropani Antiquarium Cropani”

Image gallery : Archaeological site