The Zingaro Reserve extends in an area of 1650 hectares, with a coast zone of about 7 Kilometers, formed of a rocky coast Mesozoic limestone with numerous creeks and characterized by overhanging cliffs that from a maximum height of 913 meters (Monte Speziale) go swiftly down to the sea.

The geo-pedology structure is represented by calcareous Quaternary formations and most of all by Mesozoic reliefs of calcareous dolomitic nature. The morphology of the landscape shows sharp and irregular shapes. The lands which constitute the reserve are the result of both the human activity and the evolution of nature; in fact up to a short time ago every area, even small, was cultivated for agricultural aims.

Noteworthy are the phenomena of Karstic formations with top tablelands and dolinas where the erosion permits the accumulation of red soil with many lituosoli and emerging rocks in slabs and out-crops. The Zingaro enchants for its rough beauty, for its intense colours in every seasons, for its white little coves set in a turquoise sea, the omnipresent palmets, the luxuriant Mediterranean bush, the strong wild olive trees and the magnificent carobs from where you can glimpse the harmonious shape of the rural houses. The Zingaro terrestrial reserve is yet tightly linked to the sea which is not only the geographic limit but also the constant setting of the landscape and the necessary complement of the naturalistic aspects.

The pebbly little coves, seen from the sea seem to have the shape of brighter niches sunken in the Dolomitic slopes which coming from the south part of Scopello and going to the north part get the name of Cala della Capreria (left picture), Cala del Varo (reachable from the sea), Cala della Disa or Zingaro, Cala Beretta, Cala Marinella, Cala Torre dell’Uzzo, whose calcareous substratum, exalts the transparency of the water like a tropical environment. And not last Tonnarella dell’Uzzo. The underwater environment is a continuous following of colours and forms. It starts from the bank where the impact of the sea is tumultuous and it adorns itself of the Lithophyllum Tortuosum, a red alga very tangled and frayed.

With the sea-tide the alga Cystoseira stricta witnesses the degree of the water pureness. Under the first meter of water you can see the Cistoseire with a more delicate aspect mixed with other darker algae. Where the blue is uniform more frequent are the animals of floral aspect: anemones, sea roses, madrepores. Under these, flourishes the Astroides calycularis (octopus of madrepora) which lights the walls from orange to red as fire. Sponges with yellow, violet and red shades cover grottos and passages. In the very depth you can see gems of red coral.

Fish are most of all represented by wrasses and eelpouts with their coloured livery. A rarity is the presence of the Troittor (a vermeti), a mollusk gasteropod with a tube shape, 1-2 centimeters long, of calcareous nature and very gregarious, so as to fuse in unique masses of limestone. Thanks to this process these platforms (troittor) are formed and edge the coast.

Several and interesting are the underground shafts and the submerged grottos so as to be object of University degree thesis. The most known are: the grotto of Colombaccio near the eastern limit, with an entrance situated at about 2 meters that enlarges in a vast room of 30 meters. The grotto of Corvina near Cape Craperia, grotto of Craperia, grotto of Mustia and grotto of Ficarella. Even if the Zingaro is not a marine reserve, it is forbidden to introduce rifles, fishing reeds and any catching items, according to the Reserve law regulations.

The eastern coast is characterized by beautiful beaches such as exceptionally broad and deep the Playa and to the west by the two inlets, east and west of the castle, strongly characterized by jagged high cliffs, small coves and unspoilt, rugged rocks and steep cliffs.
We are here in the presence of one of the Sicilian coast traits among the most beautiful of all that counts, also, the coastline – truly extraordinary – Zingaro.
The vegetation of the rocky shores that loom over the sea from the south-east is particularly rich: in the steppe zones, degrading towards the sea, vegetate dwarf palms, while, above the road, it is typical of an extremely hot climate and, therefore, characterized by superb carob trees, olive trees, serracchio and euphorbia.

On the west side (towards Scopello) there is facing a succession of magnificent seascapes: immediately tip and the bay of Cala Bianca and the tip of Grottaro and thus the beautiful, large breasts Guidaloca characterized by crystal clear waters and shallow water.
Very close, the Cala Rossa rich in rocks and in which there is a striking underwater cave.
Continuing, you can admire a beautiful landscape of rugged and red rocks, until you reach the beautiful complex of the Tonnara of Scopello, famous for its stacks and for its stunning crystal waters that allow you to observe the seabed.

According to the opinions, now consolidated by historians and geographers, Castellammare del Golfo was originally the emporium of the city of Segesta. The place where the Elimi – old as mysterious people – exercised their trade with foreign ships. The history of the Gulf citizen, therefore, identifies at least until 827 A.D., it became Arab with that of Segesta because as this one underwent the same events.
In constant conflict with the Greeks of nearby Selinunte, the important elimo center always orbited around Carthaginian power that made emporium egestano one of the most important fortified stations of the northern basin of Sicily.
Sunset island the greek star, the Carthaginian power had, therefore, compete with other well-bitter enemies, the Romans. The Punic Wars, in fact, were the last act of the Carthaginian each other and, therefore, also of Segesta but not ancient emporium.

The winners, in fact, understanding fully the importance, the repopulated, preserving and strengthening its military features. It was, therefore, the Arabs that connoted the center – renamed Al Madarig, or “the steps”, perhaps by a step and uneven road – as a stronghold, made impregnable with the construction of the fort and as a center of great commercial importance, with ‘settlement of the trap.
The subsequent Norman and Swabian period – between 1071 and 1282 – a few news has come to us, even though the latter probably further fortified Al Madarig that, with the construction of the fortress on the sea, came to be called Castle on the sea; it is, however, the Aragonese – where the city came after Vespro – the final arrangement of the mighty fortification.
In the Aragonese period (1281-1410), the town was baronial estate of Federico of Antiochia and became an important commercial center of the grain bound for export.
The further development of Castellammare del Golfo – with mixed success that preserved its quality of port – is ultimately attributable to the period from the seventeenth century until the nineteenth century, when the city saw an increasing and significant development.

The ancient village of Scopello – from greek skopelos – would rise on the site of the ancient city of Cetaria, so called because of the abundance of tuna fish in its sea. It was the Arabs, whom they named that site Iscubul Iakut, to restructure the trap, once destroyed the city of Cetaria. In 1220, then, it was given in fief by Federico II to Martorana of Palermo and later donated to a colony of Piacenza, led by Oddone.

Soon abandoned by the Lombard emigrants, most likely because of pirate raids, the trap passed, gradually, through the hands of several owners. Today the complex is on Disarmament – the terrible tuna fishing is no longer profitable – but everything is still in working order, the warehouse complex, the beam and to homes, boats and nets: silent witnesses to an ancient maritime civilization which has now the almost disappeared in Sicily.

And so the sea and the big stacks that rise from it solemn, waiting for fishermen.

Higher up on the mountain, always in Scopello handle a big, magnificent beam, within which, in addition to summer music festivals, is based a small town that produces beautiful and original art pottery.

Entering the farmhouse, you can find some local restaurants, bars, a restaurant where you can taste the local specialties such as “Li Cassateddi” the Pignolata, Cassata Siciliana and “Pani cunzato”.

Also, you can find a bank and other services, in fact all major Scopello activities are carried on into this Baglio. Beginning of spring the town is full of tourists and locals, attracted by the festive atmosphere that prevails in the beam.