Page 114 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

112  SICIL Y AREA B Y AREA

h Egadi Islands
Road map A2. * 4,300. g from Trapani
Trapani (Siremar: 0923-249 68). EGADI
n Favignana town hall (0923-925 ISLANDS
443/565 412); STR Trapani (0923-806 Levanzo
800). ∑ isoleegadi.it Cala Tramontana
Punta Troia Cala Dogana
The Egadi islands of Favignana M. Falcone
(the largest of the three), 686 m (2250 ft)
Levanzo and Marettimo were Marettimo Trapani
connec ted to mainland Sicily Favignana
600,000 years ago. As the sea Marettimo Favignana
level gradually rose over the Cala Grande Cala Rossa
years, the links were submerged, Ma r Cala Azzurra
slowly changing the islands into M e d i t e r r a n e o
an archipelago in the centre of
the Mediterranean. These
charming islands are now 0 kilometres 10
popular as places for vacations 0 miles 10
and swimming as they are
easily reached from Trapani. heaps of tufa from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic
island quarries. From drawings of human figures,
Cala Rossa to Bue animals and idols, some in a
Marino and from Cala rather naturalistic style, others
Azzurra to Punta rendered more schematically.
Lunga, the coast is
characterized by fine Marettimo
tuff sand beaches and The rugged, mountainous and
crystalline waters. varied landscape of Maret timo,
the first island in the group to
Levanzo break off from the mainland, is
The smallest of the very striking. The paths crossing
Egadi Islands has a the island – there are no roads
wilder aspect than or hotels here – will introduce
A stretch of the Favignana coastline Favignana: the tall, rocky you to a world of limestone
coastline is dominated pinnacles and caves leading
Favignana by a cultivated plateau. There is up to Monte Falcone (686 m/
This island has two distinct only one small village, Cala 2,250 ft). The island has many
parts. The eastern side is flat, Dogana, and the landscape is rare plant species that grow
with pastureland and farmland, barren and desolate, interrupted only here – caused by the long
while the other half is craggy here and there by the green isolation of Marettimo – as well
and barren. In the middle is the maquis vegetation. A series as some introduced moufflon
small town of Favignana, which of footpaths crosses the island and boar. The Punta Troia fort
was rebuilt in the 1600s over its and provides very pleasant housed a Bourbon penal colony
original medieval layout. Sights walks to the beautiful Cala where the Risorgimento hero
worth visiting are the Chiesa Tramontana bay. Guglielmo Pepe was held for
Matrice (dedicated to the Northwest of Cala Dogana three years. Not far from the tiny
Immaculate Conception), the is the Grotta del Genovese, village of Marettimo there are
buildings constructed during which can be reached on foot some ancient Roman buildings
the height of the tuna fishing in about two hours or by boat. and, in the vicinity, a small
industry and the 19th-century The grotto has a series of carved Byzantine church.
Palazzo Florio, which is now
the Town Hall.
There are different coves to
visit, from the beautiful Cala
Stornello to the Previto Islet,
from Cala Rotonda to Cala
Grande, and from Punta Ferro
to Punta Faraglione, where
prehistoric caves with Paleolithic
finds can be seen. The perimeter
of the eastern part starts from
Punta San Nicola and arrives
at Cala Rossa, where there are The little harbour at Cala Dogana, the only village on Levanzo
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp202–3 and pp211–13

112-113_EW_Sicily.indd 112 11/3/16 2:09 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm