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MARSALA

A BIT OF HISTORY
Covered with honors but still at the center of the expansionist wars of Rome, Marsala suffered considerable repercussions in the years of the decline of the empire: devastated by the Vandals in 500, it flourished again under the domination of the Arabs who changed its name to Marsa-Alì (port of Ali ). The city was then enriched with refined palaces and mosques, unfortunately completely destroyed. The historical-artistic greatness of Marsala lies precisely in the fact that its lands were crossed by different populations and cultures, each of which has left its marks in local art and traditions. If nothing is left of the architecture of that period, it is also true that the traces of Arab domination can be found in some typical dishes, such as cous cous, cubbaita and sfinci, in toponymy and in numerous dialectal words. It was then the turn of the Normans, Swabians, Angevins, who took turns controlling the territory. In 1282, the year of the Sicilian Vespers, the population rebelled against the harsh government of the French and came under the hands of the Aragonese. The Spanish domination represents the most difficult period in the history of the city, left to a slow decline, torn by bandits and pirate raids. The construction of the military quarter, in Via Garibaldi, now home to some municipal offices, dates back to the second half of the 1500s. It is also true, however, that, in the 1500s, Marsala appeared as a center endowed with a thriving economic activity based on cereal-growing, breeding and salt production for which the plants still operating in the Stagnone area were built. Marsala wine remained an activity reserved to local needs until 1700, when English merchants made it famous all over the world.

THE EGADI ISLANDS

Favignana

The largest of the Egadi Islands, is famous for its traditional tuna fishing. The tonnara of Favignana, which was the first in production and size, is among the last two still active in Sicily. The only inhabited center of Favignana rises in a cove called Cala Principale, which extends between Punta Faraglione and Punta S. Nicola, which also constitutes the port, well sheltered from the winds of the II and III quadrants but exposed to winds from the North. From the eastern end of the Cala, the breakwater jetty stretches towards the northwest, quay on the inner side. The two sides of the cove are almost entirely quays: at the bottom, instead, there is a beach where there is a slipway. There are two main jetties: the Molo S. Leonardo, about 90 m long that juts south-west from the jetty and the main pier, which is entirely quay, which juts north-west from the eastern shore.

Levanzo

The lesser of the Egadi, is famous for the Grotta del Genovese where graffiti is recorded testimony of the prehistoric art of the Upper Paleolithic and paintings dating back to the Neolithic. It has steep coasts and are accessible only on the north-west and south-east sides that fall steeply from a plateau culminating with the Pizzo del Monaco (278 m). The only inhabited center, where most of the population is concentrated (about 230 inhabitants), rises on the southern coast of the island in a cove called Cala Dogana, which also constitutes the small harbor, which offers good shelter from the northern winds and of west. It has two small quayside piers.

Marettimo

It is the most mountainous and distant of the Egadi Islands and culminates with Mount Falcone (686 m). Geologically older than the other two, it is also more beaten by the currents and much more jagged than Levanzo and Favignana. Some of the numerous caves existing on the west side, up until the beginning of the eighties, were the refuge of the monk seal (Monachus monachus), which has now disappeared from the waters of Marettimo and those of Sicily.

USTICA

Known as the "Black Pearl of the Mediterranean" due to its lava rocks, the island is located at 35 mg. north of Palermo. Of volcanic origin, it is the emerging point of an underwater volcano. The beauty of the coasts and seabeds depend on its complex geological events. Every corner of the island reveals unique landscapes of extraordinary charm and naturalistic interest. S. Maria, is the town of Ustica, the only center of the island with just over a thousand inhabitants, the natural harbor is protected by a quay inside quay.

PANTELLERIA

The Heart of the Mediterranean, the center-place where winds and thoughts converge. That particular point in the middle of the sea, halfway between Italy and Africa, where you can breathe, more than any other part, the idea of contact. And if Pantelleria is one of the most evocative islands of the Mediterranean, it is due to this soul capable of welcoming and giving like no other. Already from the physicality of the island emerges its character that easily approaches otherwise unapproachable contrasts. Next to the black of the lava that created the suggestive descents to the sea, we find the green of the top of the volcano from which the horizon seems hopelessly unreachable and the white of the characteristic "dammusi", the traditional houses of Pantelleria that refer immediately beyond the sea, towards the south. Visiting Pantelleria, today, is like immersing yourself in a world apart in which to find roots, memories, sensations, summarized in the very idea of the island, immutable and open at the same time.

THE EOLIANS ISLANDS

The Aeolian archipelago, made up of seven islands emerging from the sea in the north-eastern part of Sicily, is scattered over a 45-mile span. Dimora di Eolo, where fire is predominant rather than air, of volcanic origin with Stromboli and Vulcano in activity, offering the most varied and contrasting scenarios with landscapes, coasts and seabeds of particular attraction, they also enjoy a particularly mild and temperate Mediterranean climate with little rainfall. This climate makes it possible to visit the islands even in the early spring periods and in the late autumn season.

Lipari

The largest and most populous island in the archipelago, all the other islands except Salina depend on it. It is equipped with three ports and numerous anchoring possibilities, which allow you to find rides with winds from any direction. All are in the bay to the east of the island and, in the event of heavy seas, suffer from strong undertow; the most sheltered is the Port of Pignataro, while the Port of Sottomonastero is very open to the winds of the East sector. During the high season, it is advisable to moor at the numerous piers in front of the Marina Lunga beach

Salina

Superb island that in ancient times was called "Didyme" which means "Double". This name is due to the two very high conical peaks connected by a low saddle. Its current name derives from the old saline of Punta Lingua. The saddle and the narrow and low plain of the East Coast are the inhabited and cultivated areas. The island has two marinas: one to the east, in front of the town of Santa Marina di Salina, the other to the south (Renella); the first, although the main port of call, is not the most attractive, while Renella is a picturesque village situated in the hollow of a natural inlet which was later transformed into a port. Malvasia (from which an excellent wine is produced) and i capers are the best known products of the island

Panarea

Panarea can be defined as an archipelago in the archipelago as it is surrounded by many small smaller islands. Its coast is hospitable and safe almost everywhere, with to the west, great sheer cliffs, and to the east gentle and verdant slopes. A SE you have to pay attention to the group of scoglietti called Le Formiche, surrounded by shallow waters. To visit the islet of Basiluzzo, whose tormented cliffs offer an incomparable sight, but it is advisable to approach only with calm sea. To the east of Panarea there is a group of islets called Lisca Bianca where there is a very rare phenomenon: an underwater solfatara, at ca. 15 meters deep, which continuously emits gas and sulfur salts. Unique and picturesque is the village of San Pietro, whose port consists of a pier of approx. 90 meters and a quay along the shore, accessible only to boats with limited draft.

Stromboli

The volcano, a regular cone, more than 900 meters high, was called in the ancient times "Faro del Mediterraneo", is in fact, perhaps, the only active volcano in the world in constant activity for at least 2000 years. Arriving at the island during the night will thrill you with the magnificent spectacle of its eruption. Its coasts are inhospitable, in fact there is no shelter in case of strong wind, coming from any direction and the only anchorage points, as well as the only inhabited centers are Ficogrande and Ginostra.

Volcano

It is separated from Lipari by a channel just 800 meters wide and is less than 12 mg from the northern coast of Sicily. It consists of 4 volcanoes, the largest of which is the "Gran Cratere", 386 meters high, which has a limited activity to fumaroles. At the NE end of the island, Vulcanello appears to have risen from the sea, linked by an isthmus to Vulcano and just 120 meters high; between the two overlook the bays of Porto Levante, characteristic for the black and very fine sand and Porto Ponente, famous and very popular for the very hot waters due to underwater sulfur sources caused by the escape of hot gases from the seabed. The coasts, formed by jagged and colored cliffs, are spectacular. The only port (called Porto di Levante) is to the north and is sheltered only with westerly winds, while for winds from the east it is more appropriate to anchor at the Porto di Ponente.

Filicudi

Beautiful island, with many sea caves, the most famous of which called the "Bue Marino", which was once considered a den of monstrous creatures. The island is formed by three extinct volcanoes and was anciently called "Phoenicodes" due to the presence of the large number of ferns. The SO and west coasts are edged by numerous rocks and dry outcrops and the steep coasts of the island, almost everywhere deserted and hardly accessible, do not offer no safe haven. The main urban agglomeration of the Island (Filicudi Porto) is a modest village located on the East coast, whose port is really sheltered only with the SW winds. From the NO Coast a spectacular 71 meters high volcanic obelisk called La Canna is clearly visible, surrounded by shallow and shallow bottoms ideal for fishing and scuba diving

Alicudi

It is the island more to the west of the archipelago and its name derives from "Ericusa", due to the large number of heathers present in its territory. The hemispherical shape and the volcanic origin make the island difficult to inhabit, in fact due to the conformation of the land, the population is more concentrated in the eastern area. The island does not offer any shelter and you can approach it only with good weather.