The other Sicily
The Val di Mazara into the imaginary
There is an island hidden inside Sicily, the legendary island of myths, day-dreams and of the unbelievable that are now popular history, between the reality and the astonishment of the imagination.
The Ferdinandea Island
On July 5th 1831, in the open sea outside Sciacca, between thunder and lightning, from the boiling sea emerged s Black Island with and erupting Vulcan. The island was contended among France, Spain and England: such big interest was not enough to contrast the low of nature. Only five months later, the island in the same way as appeared, disappeared among the billows. The top of the Vulcan is still visible; it is only eight meter deep.
The Fata Morgana
It is the mirage city on the sea horizon. The Fatamorgana mirage could be seen only in the morning and only with special light condition; it happen when there are rarefied micro drops of water suspended on the sea, that like a magnifying glass, reflect along the coast from Mazara del Vallo to Selinunte.
The Marrobbio
Another natural wonder, typical in Mazara del Vallo. from April to May and from September to October happen this very strange phenomenon; without any real reason the sea go back for many meters and all the boats remain on shoal. After a while, the sea goes against the stream in the river channel of Mazara del Vallo creating some billows wave. In Italy happen only in the Màzaro River and at the Lampedusa Island, up to day there is no scientific explanation for this phenomenon.