This short itinerary is not suggested as an excursion on its own, but more as a deviation for who happens to be nearby Castiglione di Sicilia. You can get the chance to visit the Byzantine Cuba of Santa Domenica, a building that was declared national monument in 1909, as well as the initial part of the Alcantara Gorges.

Following the SP1-I, on the road that connects Francavilla di Sicilia to Castiglione di Sicilia, you will notice the SP1-II on you right. Carry on for about 1.5 Km, leaving Castiglione di Sicilia behind you, until on your right you will see a small spring from which our path starts. the road you have to get is clearly signed as "Cuba Bizantina". You should keep on following the signs through a narrow country side street (that can be driven through easily with the car), until you get to a crossroads. On your right you can see the "Cuba Bizantina". It is a small early Christian chapel that dates back to the VII century. You can leave the car here and visit the outside of the building. The inside is inaccessible most of the times . Once you finish your visit you should go back to the crossroads and continue, on foot along the small street on your right. 150 metres after you will find a sign that indicates the beginning of the fluvial Alcantara park. On your left, trough a narrow path you can see the point from which the Alcantara river starts hollowing out the lavic rocks, creating those structures that, a few kilometres down the valley, are known as the Alcantara Gorges. These are one of the most famous natural attractions of the Eastern Sicily.

If you want to know more about the Cuba of Santa Domenica (Italian language):