Beyond its naturalistic value, the Rupe preserves a fascinating chapter of Sicilian protohistory: on the terraces of Balate–Valle Oscura and Vallescura, archaeologists have identified a Bronze Age settlement and a necropolis of artificial cave tombs, with Castelluccian ceramics and Greco-indigenous grave goods today displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Marianopoli. On the summit plateau, stone enclosures interpreted as pre-Hellenic cromlechs re-emerge, signs of ancient rituals linked to the agricultural cycle.
Dirt trails marked by small stone cairns trace the “trazzera” connecting Feudo Scala to Valle Inferno: two hours of walking without major gradients, organized by FAI and local guides, are enough to capture the wild spirit of this geosite, where the geological history of Miocene limestones converses with the stories of shepherds, charcoal burners, and farmers. Visiting the Rupe di Marianopoli thus means immersing oneself in a rare mosaic of biodiversity, archaeology, and breathtaking landscapes - a natural balcony that in a single glance reveals the innermost soul of inland Sicily.