Description
San Vito lo Capo is located in the province of Trapani and is also one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in western Sicily.
In summer it is the destination of thousands of tourists who are entranced by the beauty of the landscape, between Monte Monaco, the Egitarso plateau and the flat areas covered with vegetation, which almost reach the beach.
The most sought-after is the “golden” beach, about 3 km long and which is located a short distance from the famous Zingaro nature reserve.
The favorable and mild climate even in winter makes San Vito lo Capo a place to go on holiday until late autumn.
The same holiday will be complete in front of the moments of interest of the town which has about 4 thousand inhabitants, characterized by narrow streets with low houses of a dazzling white and the proverbial welcome of the locals.
There are several appointments with cultural events throughout the year in San Vito lo Capo, which is also ideal for a family holiday.
There is no shortage of naturalistic beauties in this part of Sicily, which make excursions possible to discover almost uncontaminated places and fishing villages and tuna traps, such as that of “del Secco”, where time has always stood still.
The sanctuary fortress of San Vito
The symbol and certainly the most famous monument of San Vito lo Capo is the sanctuary built in the style of a real fortress.
The first plant dates back to the 1300s and was dedicated to the patron saint of the city, who, with his miracles that took place in these places, spread his fame even beyond Sicily itself.
Thus began an intense pilgrimage, but the pirate raids became so bloody and dangerous for the pilgrims themselves, that the church needed walls that could defend it, including the monks and travelers who were inside.
The sanctuary has undergone several renovations over the centuries and, observing its architecture, one notices that there are a mixture of styles, which however have been able to find an admirable balance. The facade is decorated only by a rose window with 2 small openings on the sides very high. There is only one entrance door, loopholes and, in the upper part, the towers that served as a lookout in case of attacks.
In some points the walls reach a thickness of about 2 and a half meters and a height of 16 m.
Inside the sanctuary is the marble statue of San Vito, which was created by the sculptor Gagini in the 16th century.
The external tower, on the other hand, was built posthumously, in the 1600s and completed the defensive system that was located close to the coast, with 3 other towers, 2 of which are still visible today (Torre Isolidda and Torre Scieri). The third tower instead, called Roccazzo, was demolished to make way for a military construction before the Second World War.
The first inhabited nucleus in the form of a small community or village was born right around the sanctuary, also due to the need of pilgrims to find accommodation.
Often it was the inhabitants themselves who offered them hospitality, even for a fee.
Adjacent to the sanctuary are the premises of the museum divided into thematic rooms and, among these, there is that of the silverware where a splendid wooden statue of the Virgin dating back to the fifteenth century is placed. In another room there is an ancient and famous green chasuble and next to it all the votive offerings of the faithful who have received graces. From the Museum there is also a terrace that offers an exceptional panorama of the entire coast.
The sea and the beach of San Vito lo Capo
San Vito lo Capo boasts a beach famous throughout the world for its colors with all shades of blue, which have a thousand shades from the shore to the sea.
One remains enchanted in front of this natural amphitheater enclosed between 2 imposing natural protections, such as Monte Monaco and the sudden Egitarso plain. The waters are shallow for several tens of meters and this is why the beach of San Vito lo Capo is ideal for children and for those who love to relax by the sea.
For diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, on the other hand, it is enough to go offshore to observe the spectacle of the seabed in this part of Sicily.
The sand is incredibly white and very fine, while the beach is wide and equipped with establishments and the possibility of having a cocktail or stopping to eat in the numerous restaurants located nearby.
The beach of San Vito lo Capo is also pleasant in the evening, when the seafront is crowded with tourists and locals who love to enjoy the sea breeze and stroll in a lively atmosphere due to the many cultural and entertainment initiatives in the nearby historic centre.
Not far from the beach of San Vito lo Capo, there are others of equal beauty, such as the Bay of Santa Margherita in Castelluzzo. Here the coast becomes wilder and more rocky and, for those who aspire to a privileged and entertaining point of view, even
