Aegadian Islands - Egadische Eilanden

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Map: Aegadian Islands
Aegadian Islands

The Aegadian Islands (Italian: Isole Egadic) is an Italian archipelago west of Sicily on the Mediterranean Sea.. The archipelago is entirely part of the municipality Favignana and belongs administratively to the province TrapaniThe Aegadian Islands have a total area of ​​37.45 km² and have about 4100 inhabitants. Fishing and tourism are the main sources of income.

Info

Three of the Aegadian Islands are inhabited:

  •    Favignana. The largest island 8 km off the coast of Sicily. It has an area of ​​20 km² and 3400 inhabitants.
  •    Levanzo. The smallest island at 12.5 km off the coast of Sicily. It has an area of ​​6 km² and 200 inhabitants.
  •    Marettimo. The second largest island 30 km off the coast of Sicily. It has an area of ​​12 km² and 680 inhabitants.

The archipelago also includes these smaller islands and rocks:

  •    Formica.
  •    Maraone.

Formica and Maraone are west of Levanzo towards Trapani.

  •    gallery.
  •    preveto.
  •    Galeotta.

These 3 rocks are located south of Favignana.

  • The island of Levanzo

  • The island of Favignana

  • Marettimo

  • Isola Formica

  • Isola Preveto

History

The Aegadian Islands were already inhabited in prehistoric times when they were still connected to the mainland. Wood carvings and paintings from the Paleolithic era have been found in the Grotta del Genovese on Levanzo. The Egadi Islands were the scene of the final battle between the fleets of Carthage and the Roman Republic in 241 BC during the First Punic War. This battle ended with a victory of the Romans. Between Roman times and the fortification of Favignana in 1081 by the Normans, Goths, Vandals and Saracens alternately ruled it.

climateJanFebMarAprilMayjunjulyAugsepOctNovDec
 
average maximum (°C) 15,015,316,719,123,427,129,730,427,923,819,316,3
average minimum (°C) 7,97,18,410,113,416,819,620,618,615,611,89,4
The climate on the Aegadian Islands is characterized by mild winter temperatures and long hot summers. The little precipitation that falls is concentrated in the winter months. Temperatures rarely fall below 5 °C in January and February, while they can reach 45 °C in the summer months of June, July and August.

Language

On the Aegadian Islands, a Sicilian dialect spoken, however it is Italian the official language.

Flora and fauna

sumac

The islands are quite barren. The typical Mediterranean maquis and garrigue are common. The vegetation further consists of olive trees, mastic, carob trees, spurge (euphorbia) and sumac (rhus coriaria). There are some interesting native species such as sea kale (brassica macrocarpa), the maritime marigold (calendula maritima) and a fennel variety (seseli bocconi). A study from the 1960s found that there are about 570 different plant species on the islands. Favignana is one of the few smaller islands in Sicily where the Sicilian green toad (bufo siculus) occurs.

The islands are located in a marine reserve to protect flora, fauna and archaeological remains, Area Marina Protetta delle Isole Egadic. It consists of the islands of Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo and the islets of Formica and Maraone. With an area of ​​almost 54000 hectares, this is the largest marine reserve in Europe.

Arrive

By plane

The Aegadian Islands can be reached via Trapani Birgi Airport.

Ryanair maintains direct flights from Eindhoven to Trapani.

You can also go through Milan,Rome,Turin or Verona nasty Trapani to fly. The nearest international airport is Palermo, accessible with KLM and Alitalia.

By boat

The port of Levanzo
  • siremar maintains a boat connection between Trapani and the three islands. The islands of Favignana and Levanzo are visited in combination. The ferry to Favignana and Levanzo runs eleven times a day, three times with a ship that takes cars. There are 4 departures per day to Marettimo, one of which is by car. look at the timetable or inquire at a Siremar office for exact departure times. Return fares: Favignana and Levanzo €18.70 p.p. and Marettimo €32.50 p.p..
  • Ustica Lines maintains a boat connection between Marsala and Favignana. There are five departures every day except Sunday. The crossing takes 30 minutes and costs €8.00.
Look out!

LOOK OUT: Tourists are allowed no cars to Levanzo and Marettimo take.

  •    Porto di Levanzo.
  •    Porto di Favignana.
  •    Porto di Marettimo.

To look at

Favignana

Favignana

Favignana has three squares that divide the town, namely: Piazza Europa, Piazza Marina and Piazza Matrice.

Squares

  •    Piazza Europa. This is where it is city ​​Hall (Municipio) and the statue of Ignazio Florio.
  •    Piazza Marina. Here it is Church of Saint Anthony and the Palazzo Parodi.
  •    Piazza Matrice. Here is the eighteenth-century church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception (Chiesa Madre) with a precious wooden crucifix from the 18th century and a marble statue of Saint Anthony from the 17th century. Furthermore, there is the Forte di San Giacomo which now serves as a prison.

caves

In the Rione Sant'Anna you walk through small alleys, which date back to the 17th century. Just outside the buildings, you enter the Zona di San Nicola, the area of ​​the caves where you will come across prehistoric drawings and graves:

  • Cave di San Nicola.
  • Grotta del Pozzo;
  • Grotta delle Navi;
  • Grotta degli Archi;
  • Grotta della Stelle;
  •    Grotta degli Innamorati. Cave of couples in love.

Other places of interest

Information about Mattanza, the bluefish tuna fishery (characterized as a "slaughter") can be seen in the former Florio factory where tuna was preserved:

By car

On Favignana runs the SP 39 from Pozzo Ponente in the east via Favignana town to Punta Marsala in the far west across the island.

By bus

With the bus company Tarantola you can get to the beaches quite easily. The bus stop is near the harbour. There are 3 lines in operation.

  • Chiesa Madre

  • Town Hall (Municipio) of Favignana

  • tonnara

  • tonnara

  • Porto di Favignana

  • Favignana city

  • Favignana

  • Cala Rossa

  • Mattanza

  • Monte Santa Caterina

  • Castello Santa Caterina

Marettimo

Scoglio Cammello

Marettimo has been called the island of the biotopes called. There is a wealth of flora to be found, more than 540 different species. But Marettimo is more than that, it's na Capric one of the most beautiful Italian islands, also because of the 400 caves.

The most interesting places on Marettimo are:

  •    Scoglio del Cammello. Scoglio del Cammello is a small beach, the most beautiful place in Marettimo for swimming, but the cave of the same name is also located here.
  •    Monte Falcone. Monte Falcone is 686 m high;
  •    Castello di Punta Troia (Punta Troia). Castello di Punta Troia, where there is a castle that stands proudly above the top, this requires a climb of at least an hour. Only a 15 minute walk from the bay into the sea. Upstairs you will be met by young people who live on the island themselves and who will tell you everything about the castle but also about the flora and fauna of the area. They give you a real tour. Well worth it! The view is really very beautiful Free entry.
  •    Case Romane (Roman houses). Half an hour's walk from the center in the middle of the island, near the Case Romane is also a Byzantine church.

Some caves that are really worth a visit:

  •    Grotta del Cammello (Scoglio del Cammello).
  •    Grotta del Tuono (Punta Trioa).
  •    Grotto del Presepe (Testo di Polipo).
  • Grotta della Pipa;
  • Grotta delle Sirene;
  • Grotta Perciata;
  • Grotta della Ricaredda;
  • Grotta della Palme;
  • caveticelle.

  • Marettimo city

  • Castello di Punta Troia

  • Case Romane

  • Byzantine church

  • one of the 400 caves that Marettimo counts

Levanzo

Petroglyph in the Grotta del Genovese on Levanzo

Levanzo is going to be isola dei graffiti, called the Island of the Petroglyphs because of the many prehistoric art expressions in the Grotta del Genovese. This is located on a small ledge on Levanzo. Rock carvings dating back 8,000 to 12,000 years have been found in the back room. At that time, the island was still part of the mainland of Italy connected. Among the petroglyphs are depictions of humans, deer, horses, and other animals. To enter the cave one must report to the Natale Castiglione, tel. 39 0923 924032.

  • Levanzo

  • Levanzo

  • Levanzo

To do

Levanzo

Excursion on Levanzo:

Sunbathe

Favignana

Lido Burrone

on Favignana are some bigger and smaller beaches, of which the Cala Rossa in the northwest with its crystal clear and colorful water is the most popular. Cala Bue Marino is very popular among swimmers, it lives up to its name. The beach of Cala Rotonda is delicate, offers wide views that of Punta Sottile and crystal clear are the beaches at Punta Marsala, Grotta Perciato, Punta Lunga, Punta Ferro and Punta Faraglione. However, the real sandy beaches can be found at Cala Azzurra, Lido Burrone (very well equipped with showers, cabins and bars) and Spiaggia del Marasolo.

  •    Cala Rossa. A small beach on the island of Favignana where you can swim in the beautiful blue water and meanwhile there are fish swimming all around you in all colors of the rainbow. A really beautiful sight. Warning: Not for children under 10 or people who can't swim. Watch out for the current of the water. Received the premium as the most beautiful beach in 2015 in Italy according to SkyScanner.
  •    Cala Bue Marino.
  •    Lido Burrone. The most beautiful sandy beach on the island, crystal clear waters and ideal for children.
  •    Cala Azzurra. One of the most beautiful places on the island for swimming, crystal clear water and beautiful colors. Also suitable for children.

  • Cala Azzurra

Misuse

Favignana

For €5.00 per day, including a route map, you can traverse the island and visit archaeological sites. The mountain (Monte Santa Catarina 314 m) that divides the island in two can be easily circumvented on the south side.

Bicycles and scooters can be rented at:

Bicycles, Scooters, Mehari and Jeep:

  • da Bruno (Campeggio Egad), Contrada Arena, 91023 Favignana, ☎ 39 338 1814824 (mobile).

To dive

Marettimo

Favignana

Diving is excellent in the following places:

Punta Marsala, Secca del Tonno, Cala Marasolo, Punta Fánfolo and at the caves between Cala Rotonda and Scoglio Corrente.

Favignana

Boat trips

Marettimo

Boat Rentals and Excursions

Walks

Punta di Troia on Marettimo

Marettimo

  • Hikes on the mountainous Marettimo. At 686 m, Monte Falcone is the highest mountain on the island, but the castle on Punta di Troia is also an attractive target. There are many paths which makes the island suitable for beautiful walks. Inquire at CSRT Association in Marettimo, Via Campi, tel. and fax 39 0923 923000 for information about walking routes.

To buy

  • ceramics (Borinda Sanna), Via Matteotti 59, 91023 Favignana, ☎ 39 0923 922238.
  • Prodotti di Tonnara (La Casa del Tonno), Via Roma 12, 91023 Favignana, ☎ 39 0923 922227.
  • La Pasticceria, Via G.Garibaldi 28, 91023 Favignana, ☎ 39 329 3155742. Sicilian sweets, wines and liqueurs. Cassata Siciliana.

Food

Scorfani rossi (red scorpion fish)

Typical dishes of the Aegadian Islands are couscous dishes and fish specialties such as marinated tuna, swordfish and roasted tuna steak.

Favignana

  • Pizzeria Ristorante Il Rais, Piazza Europa, 91023 Favignana, ☎ 39 0923 921233.

Marettimo

Marettimo

Levanzo

Going out

  • Rais Disco Club Favignana, Via Madonna 8, 91023 Favignana.
  • Mulino Rosso, Via M. di Canossa, 91023 Favignana.

stay overnight

Favignana

Hotels

Camping

Marettimo

Bed and breakfast

Apartments

Hotels

Levanzo

Guest house

Hotels

Safety

For those who observe the normal precautions, the Aegadian Islands are completely safe.

Contact

  • Tourist information (association. Turistica Pro Loco), Piazza Matrice 25, 91023 Favignana, ☎ 39 0923 921647.
  • General Emergency Number, ☎112.
  • Law enforcement, ☎113.
  • Fire Department, ☎115.

Medical assistance

  •    Assistenza Sanitaria (Barone Ilaria) (Pharmacy), Piazza Matrice, 91023 Favignana.
  •    Assistenza Sanitaria (Pandolfo Ignazio Ettore) (Pharmacy), Via Municipio Marettimo, 91010 Marettimo.

all around

View of Trapani and the Aegadian Islands from Erice
  • Trapani - with a visit to the salt mines (Saline);
  • Erice - the mountain Erice with a view over the province of Trapani and the Aegadian Islands
  • segesta - Greco-Doric Temple and Amphitheatre;
  • Marsala - known for its wines;
  • San Vito lo Capoc - one of the most beautiful sandy beaches of Sicily;
  • Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro - dello Zingaro nature reserve.
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