Favignana (Trapani Province) is only a short crossing away, great in the summer months. The holiday spirit moves children and adults towards this island and its crystal-clear waters. Nature, despite all man's attacks, shows off her beauty. On board the ferry (which takes an hour from Trapani) or the hydrofoil (which reaches its destination in just 20 minutes) we carry our flippers, swimming masks, wetsuits, bathing costumes and beach equipment.
The largest island in the Egadi - considered the "pearl" of the archipelago - bears many signs of the industrial civilization that made it famous in the entrepreneurial world of the 19th century. In the port we can still see the great tunny-fish processing factories, now abandoned but planned to be converted into a museum of local traditions, and the tunny-fishery boat-sheds, still in use. On the left is the old Florio house, now the Town Hall, designed by Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda, the architect of the Teatro Politeana in Palermo.
First the Pallavicinos and then the Florios were responsible for the present-day aspect of Favignana, which used to be a little medieval village defended by the San Giacomo fort, on the same level as the houses, and by the Santa Caterina Fort, on the summit of the mountain of the same name. The San Giacomo Fort has been converted into a prison, while the Santa Caterina Fort is now a military base and is therefore inaccessible.
Also: Old tufa quarries.
The Mediterranean maquis, which covers wide areas, and the teasels, prickly-pears and agaves with their lofty flower spikes characterize this extraordinary fascinating landscape.
The Burrone Lido, with its fine sand, is the most popular bathing beach, but there are many bathers, especially younger people, who prefer to crowd the numerous coves and inlets that open out among the rocks.
A boat-trip will allow us to discover the grottoes opening out on to the sea, as well as isolated and almost inaccessible beaches.
Churches (Trapani Diocese) include the following:
Links to other sites about Favignana include:
My latest book on CD is titled Sicily - A Reference for Researchers and is now available. With a file for each town (plus many other files), it relates the history of Sicily as reflected in the photos, records and festivals of its towns. It contains over 2500 text and photo files and can be ordered at CD order.
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