Hidden in the hills of the Alcantara valley, the Cuba, or church of Santa Domenica, is a fascinating mystery of the past. Its construction, estimated between the 7th and 9th centuries AD, makes it an authentic historical gem. Immersed in the countryside three kilometers from the town centre, it caresses the banks of the Alcantara river. The architectural structure, with its Greek cross plan supported by four pillars, hides an enigma: three different roofs, an apse with a hollow vault, side naves with barrel vaults and a spherical dome with singular construction mastery. Traces of frescoes testify to its ancient internal beauty. The façade, a reference to the Basilian chapels, offers the unusual spectacle of an apse facing east and a central door that opens towards the west. Beyond its conventional age, some experts put forward the hypothesis of a construction in periods subsequent to the Byzantine era, adding a touch of mystery. Over the centuries, writers, scholars and travelers have told stories of this "Cuba" in the countryside, next to the village of Castiglione di Sicilia. Even today, Cuba attracts scholars and university students, eager to reveal the secrets of its architecture and history. In 1900 it was recognized as a monument of national interest and a FAI asset.
Property of the Municipality, it is open to visitors, ready to explore this pearl of the past (for further information and visits, simply contact the numbers 800010552 or 0942980222).