Selinunte is an ancient Greek archaeological site situated on the south coast of Sicily, southern Italy, between the valleys of the rivers Belice and Modione in the province of Trapani. The archaeological site contains five temples centered on an acropolis. Of the five temples, only the Temple of Hera, also known as "Temple E", has been re-erected.
Selinunte was one of the most important of the Greek colonies in Sicily, situated on the southwest coast of that island, at the mouth of the small river of the same name, and 6.5 km west of that of the Hypsas (the modern Belice River).
Marsala is a seaport city located in the Province of Trapani. The low coast on which it is situated is the westernmost point of the island. It is best known as the source of Marsala wine.
The town is situated on the Mediterranean coast, in the south-western side of Sicily. It lies on the road between Trapani and Mazara del Vallo.
Marsala occupies the site of Lilybaeum, the principal stronghold of the Carthaginians in Sicily, founded by Himilco in 396 BC after the abandonment of Motya.
The Arabs gave it its present name "Marsala" which is deriving from the Arab "Marsa Allah" (port of Allah) or "Marsa Ali" ("port of Ali" intended also as "great port" as Ali in Arabian language is synonymous with "great" and the ancient harbour of Lilybaeum was enormous). The ancient harbor that lay on the northeast was destroyed by Charles V to prevent its occupation by pirates. The modern harbor lies to the southeast.
Little remains of the ancient Lilybaeum. Fragments of the city walls, squared stones, and some foundations of buildings between the walls and the sea are visible. The so-called grotto and spring of the Sibyl may be mentioned. To the east of the town is a great fosse which defended it on the land side, and beyond this again are quarries like those of Syracuse on a small scale.
Riserva naturalle dello Zingaro is the first natural reserve that has been set up in Sicily in May 1981. It stretches along about 7 kilometers of unspoilt coastline of the Gulf of Castellammare and its mountain chain which is the setting of little bays and steep cliffs.
The Zingaro has a large variety and abundance of rare and endemic plants it also has a rich fauna. The existence of highly varied ecological niches gives a great diversity which is not easily found in others parts of the island. In the Zingaro at least 39 species of birds that nest and mate, mainly birds of prey, including the pilgrim falcon, the windhover and the buzzard. The area has also a rich archaeological past, as in the spectacural Uzzo Grotto there was one of the first prehistoric settlements in Sicily. The reserve has a complex network of paths, shelters, water taps, picnic areas, museums, carpark, and other amenities; there are no roads and it can only be visited on foot.
San Vito Lo Capo is a town and comune in North-Western Sicily, Italy, administratively part of the province of Trapani. It has 3,914 inhabitants as of 2004. The small town is located in a valley between spectacular mountains, and is home to a public beach popular with local vacationers. The town's primary industries are tourism and agriculture, particularly olive groves owned by small farmers.
The town's eastern border is provided by a small range of mountains, the northernmost of which is peaked by a large cross visible from the public beach below. The mountain is popular with local climbers, and a logbook is provided at the cross for climbers to record their adventures. The mountain is also home to numerous caves, most of which are inaccessible without professional climbing gear. A particular cave, accessible by foot at the southern base of the mountain, was named "Caverna della Capra Guasto," or "Cave of the Dead Goat" by explorers Christian D'Angelo and William Spears. The adventurers famously explored the cave's interior using only a camera flash for light, and provide the first historical record of the cave's penetration by humans.
San Vito lo Capo is home to many small eateries targeting the beachgoing market; of those the most well-known is the historical Cafe Europa, famous for its specialty, the Panini con Panelle.
To the south, there is the Riserva naturale dello Zingaro.
Fog 7 oC
Cloudy 17 oCM.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
