There are two theories about the historic first settlement. The first source reported the foundation by Marcello’s soldiers during the siege of Syracuse (214 B.C.). The second one reported the existence of an isolated settlement with a farmhouse of the Byzantine period, which is attested by many caves and traces of sacred frescoes. In medieval times the town developed on the coasts of the valleys of St. Vito and St. Barbara, with the castle of Branciforte. Destroyed by the 1693 earthquake, it was rebuilt in situ.
There are many areas of natural interest, which feature a mix of valuable historical, archaeological and naturalistic items. Among them, the Greek and Roman necropolis, the prehistoric tombs, the Byzantine cave settlements which are numerous in the surroundings.