natural landscapes of trapani and its province

NATURAL LANDSCAPES OF

TRAPANI AND ITS PROVINCE

The area, including Trapani and its province, lies, in all its sunny Mediterranean beauty, in the North-West of Sicily. As regards its landscape this territory is highly various with mountains, sandy beaches, and islands.

This stretch of Sicilian coasts is characterized by the gulfs of: “Trapani”,

whose name derives just from the sickle-shape of its gulf, “Bonagia”,

“Cofano” and “Castellammare”.

The characteristic element of the province is the presence of mountains such as “Mount S. Giuliano”, “Mount Inici”, “Mount Cofano”, “Mount Sparagio”, “Mount Bonifato”, “Mount Barbaro”, “Angimbè woods”, Baronia wood, “Scorace woods”, “Montagna Grande”, and of a number of islands including Pantelleria and the Egadis.

The landscape of Trapani is dominated by “Mount S. Giuliano”,and towards Bonagia there is a majestic spectacle of sea, plain and mountain with the imposing shape of Mount Cofano. The flora is made up of 325 species, and the fauna is characterized by so many types of birds.

San Vito and Cornino, two seaside resorts, offer a unique scenery with wonderful white beaches and crystal-clear water.

The “Zingaro” was the first natural reserve instituted in Sicily. Scourged by the wind and burnt by the sun in summer the “Zingaro” is the real paradise for 800 species of plants, of great naturalistic interest, and for a great number of animals. More than 40 species of birds find it the right place to nest; others hibernate or stop for a while during their migrations.

Segesta, the archaeological site with its magnificent Doric temple and Greek theatre, is surrounded by an enchanting area full of natural beauties; it also includes the sulphurous water springs.

Towards the sea the skyline is marked by wonderful, characteristic wind-mills which together with the salt pans offer an impressive landscape. The salt area extends between Trapani and Marsala. Marsala, a sea town, comprises a number of islands: “Mozia, Santa Maria, La Schola and Isola Longa.”

Pantelleria is a dark and burning island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. It is dark because of its volcanic nature and it is blue for its fantastic, transparent, blue sea.

PANTELLERIA

Favignana looks like a big butterfly, whose wings are the two sections created by “Il Monte”, the mountain which divides the island in two parts.. The island, with its numerous inlets, grottos, nice and white beaches offers great, fantastic, breathtaking places.

FAVIGNANA

Levanzo offers its jewels made of the sea, inlets, grottos and the impressive stack.

The sea, a crystal-clear water, has all the shades of green and deep blue and it is rich in flora and fauna.

LEVANZO

Marettimo, was considered a sacred island. Exploring this island we can enjoy the beauties

of its vegetation, of its wild and raw landscape, in short the magic atmosphere of the place .

MARETTIMO

S. Lorenzo's Cathedral

The cathedral was built in

XV century by the architect Biagio Amico.

It is situated in the historical centre of Trapani.

It is in baroque style.

It was built in 1671, on the extreme endof western Sicily, it was part of the system of sightingand coastal defense against the naval attacks.

Ligni tower

Trapani offers great, incredible, natural landscapes.

In short Trapani is like an earthly paradise.