Gorgonita
Segesta fortified system
The western slope of Mount Barbaro is the natural access to the ancient Greek city of Segesta. Here there was a fortified complex which underwent remarkable changes over time. The lower belt of the wall, from the 5th century BC, followed the steep slope of the valley to close it like a dam in the center with an opening of 6.6 meters over access to the Puerta del Valle. This was later strengthened with two large towers. They built a fortified stronghold on a small plateau, with three towers that controlled both the gate area of the valley and the road leading to the main entrance of the city, Puerta stazzo.
By the 3rd century BC, the Puerta del Valle was changed to accommodate catapults and stone warehouses. Also, the city wall fell leaving the line of defense of said gate outside. It then lost its defensive function and was used as an olive oil mill during the 6th and 7th centuries.
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