La palestra/ginnasio di Solunto: nuovi dati per lo studio del complesso

The gymnasium/palaestra of Soluntum (Sicily) constitutes one of the most significant monuments of the settlement on Monte Catalfano and, at the same time, one of the few contexts within the public area that has not yet been subjected to a critical reassessment. Brought to light by V. Tusa during the extensive investigations conducted at the site from the mid-twentieth century onward, the building was the subject of more recent research in the early 2000s by A. Mistretta, who also carried out several trial excavations, whose results have not, however, been presented in a detailed publication. Consequently, numerous questions remain open regarding the building phases of the complex and the topographical context in which it is situated. The latter, owing to the complexity of the documented building stratifications, plays a central role in understanding the urban development of the settlement and, in particular, the evolution of its public area. The contribution aims to re-examine the data published thus far on the complex, drawing on new evidence obtained through the autoptic study of remains in situ and through an analysis of the relevant topographical context. The objective is to provide new elements for understanding the building interventions that affected this sector of the public area and to propose a more precise chronological framework for the monument.