The Nature Reserve of Vendicari was established by the Regione Siciliana in 1984. Walking inside the reserve, you’ll find yourself admiring breath-taking landscapes, dense vegetation that suddenly opens out onto a crystal-clear sea, and exceptionally long, golden beaches. While bathing in the beautiful waters of the reserve, you can make friends with flamingos, herons and storks that stay here before reaching their final migratory destinations.
The Reserve flows along the coast between Marzamemi and Avola for about thirteen kilometres. Visiting it in a single day is impossible, which is why the official website of the oasis offers three specific routes. Here are the must-see attractions.
Don’t miss
Blue Path
It winds along the northern part of the Reserve. It starts near the entrance to Eloro, then descends south to Marianelli beach. Finally, it ends on the beautiful beach of Calamosche.
Green Itinerary
It winds along the southern part of the Reserve. It starts at the Cittadella entrance next to San Lorenzo beach, then it climbs north touching Cittadella Maccari, the Trigona, the Byzantine Necropolis and finally ends up at the old Tuna Fishery of Vendicari.
Orange Itinerary
It winds through the central– northern part of the Reserve and begins at the main entrance to Vendicari. Along the way, it touches the beach of Vendicari, the Tuna Fishery, the Swabian Tower and finally ends on the Calamosche beach.
The Tuna Fishery of Vendicari
Also called Bafutu, it was a ‘return’ fishery, that is, a tuna fishery that fished the tuna and mackerel that returned to the open sea after the mating season.
The Swabian Tower
It stands on the shore of the bay of Vendicari in a very fascinating context, with the remains of the ancient tuna fishery to the east and immediately after the cliff, the beach, and the islet of Vendicari. According to testimonies, it appears to have been built at the behest of Peter of Aragon.
