Solunto, Sicily

Solunto or Solus was an ancient city of Sicily, one of the three chief Phoenician settlements in the island, situated on the north coast, about 18 km east of Panormus (modern Palermo), and immediately to the east of the bold promontory called Capo Zafferano. It lay 200 m above sea level, on the southeast side of Monte Catalfano (380 m), in a naturally strong situation, and commanding a fine view. Some scholars contend that Soluntum and Solus were two different cities at close quarters, Soluntum, higher upon the hillside, being a later habitation displacing the earlier settlement of Solus, at a lower elevation. Its current site is at the località of Solanto in the comune of Santa Flavia.