The Val di Mazara
Welcome in “Val di Mazara”: The heart of western Sicily
The Val di Mazara, hearth of western Sicily, is at the top end of South Europe, washed by the oldest sea of the world. It includes the province of Trapani, part of Palermo and Agrigento areas, Egadi and Pantelleria islands.
From Mazara del Vallo to Castellammare gulf, the land is very bright with strong colours, almost dazzling around the Mothia salt-works and lagoon, and the Stagnone Islands. This brightness tone down by the green of the wine-yards, olive and almond trees. The hinterland, in some areas luxuriant and in some others deserted, fascinate with its sweet declivity. Of great interest are Erice, Montagna Grande, mount Sparagio, mount Pòlizo with its archaeological sight Elimo.
The Egadi Islands
Favignana, Levanzo e Marittimo, offer an unparelled view of coasts and sea still wild and virgin, in a protected sea area among the most fascinable of the world.
Pantelleria
The “Black Pearl” of Mediterranean sea and its contrasts. The exciting coasts, the transparency and the tints of the waves on the black rocks. The green inside land come to the sea, the pebble beach hidden by dizzy precipices and several attractive sea caves, are on the stage of an uncontaminated nature. The island seascape is one of the most preserved of the Mediterranean sea, a real diving paradise.
San Vito lo Capo,
Is on the north west coast of Sicily, on the bay between the Zingaro nature riserve at West and Mount Cofano on East, the Cous Cous city, a dish symbol of peace and of people integration with different culture. San Vito Lo Capo is an ancient sea village maintaining its old Arabic heritage.
The Zingaro Natural reserve,
It is on the west side of Castellamare gulf, on the peninsula of San Vito Lo Capo on the Tìrrenum sea between the towns of Castelammare of the Gulf and Trapani. The Zingaro enchants for its wild sights, for its strong colours in any season, for the small white creeks in a turquoise sea., the ubiquitous dwarf palms, the luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation, the strong old olive trees and the imposing carob trees from where is possible to see the harmonic moult and the typical farmer’s house.
Val di Mazara between present and past
The people and the traditions
The perseverance and the strong of the Sicilian people, generated traditions, cults, customs, and rituals, recalling the influence of the several conquerors of the past.
With the same perseverance, they challenge the strong of the sea , the tuna fishers of Favignana, for centuries to get life they maintained the old tradition of the Mattanza, still in place as many centuries ago by the Egadi islands fishers.
With the same passion, is in place in Trapani, the popular traditions of the Settimana Santa.
The Processione dei Misteri, is a very old and long religious show recalling the Spanish tradition represented since the XVI century. In 24 hours time, from the Holy Friday to the Holy Saturday, the sacred mysteries are taken around the city for a long and fascinating prayer’s night.
Also Salemi is well known for its religious traditions: The "breads" and the "suppers" of Saint Joseph are symbols of this land: the bread is considered as holy food, and there is a real cult for the several type of bread still prepared and backed according the old local traditions with customs still popular in the day by day life.