Page 115 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

NOR THWESTERN SICIL Y  113

prehistoric village of Faraglioni
and the Phoenician tombs at
Falconara, which were used
at different times by the Greeks,
Levanzo the Romans and the Byzantines.
The main feature of a boat
Cala Tramontana
Punta Troia Cala Dogana tour of the island is the great
M. Falcone number of underwater caves
686 m (2250 ft) in the rocky coastline: the
Marettimo Trapani Grotta Azzurra, whose large
Favignana caverns are preceded by an
Marettimo imposing natural arch, the
Cala Grande Favignana Grotta delle Colonne, with a
Cala Rossa
Ma r cliff of the same name, and the
Cala Azzurra
M e d i t e r r a n e o Grotta Blasi, Grotta dell’Oro
and Grotta delle Barche (where
The Grotta Azzurra, a major attraction on boat tours around Ustica fishermen used to moor their
boats during storms), are only
j Ustica diving tour of the ancient a few of the many caves to
Roman amphorae, old anchors, be seen.
Road map B1. * 1,300. g from
Palermo (Siremar: 091-749 33 15; Ustica and traces of the passage of
Lines: 092-387 38 13). k Palermo sailors since the beginning
Punta Raisi 091-591 663. n STR of human history in this part
Palermo (091-639 80 28/11); Town hall of the sea.
(091-844 81 24); Guardia Costiera The village of Ustica is
(0923-844 96 52). ∑ ampustica.it dominated by the Capo
Falconara promontory, where
Ustica is the result of ancient the Bourbon rulers built a little
volcanic eruptions: its name fort offering a splendid view as
derives from the word ustum far as the Sicilian coast. Ustica
(burned) and the land is made was founded in the mid-1700s
up of sharp black volcanic rock, and is still inhabited. Local life
which gives it its unique revolves around Piazza
appearance. The emerged part Umberto I, where there is a
of the gigantic submerged whitewashed parish church.
volcano, about 49 km (30 miles) Age-old human presence on
from the Sicilian coast, is only the island is visible in a number Underwater exploration around the island of Ustica
8.6 sq km (3.32 sq miles), but its of interesting sites, such as the
extremely fertile lava terrain is
ideal for the cultivation of USTICA
capers and lentils. The steep
and rocky coasts and the
seascape that surrounds the Palermo
island make it an ideal spot for
under water sports. Because of
the importance of the sea beds,
the first Marine Reserve in Faraglioni
Italy was established here on
12 November 1986; it is run by
the local authorities. The park is Falconara
divided into three sections, and Ustica
the degree of protection ranges USTICA
from total (from Caletta to Cala
Sidoti) to partial. Guided tours Grotta Azzurra
are organized by the Marine
Reserve itself, and in July the Grotta del
Barche
island plays host to a series
of inter national skin- and
scuba-diving programmes.
A particularly interesting Palermo
underwater excursion is the
one that starts off at Punta 0 kilometres 2
Gavazzi, with what could be 0 miles 1
described as an archaeo logical
For keys to map symbols see back flap

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