Excursion to WWF natural reserve of “Torre Salsa”

Tour description: The tour includes a small didactic introduction at the Museum #MeTe with the viewing of films and photographic materials relating to the Reserve. Then start the real and proper hike, which provides the following guided tour: visit to the lookout point, walk along the path Galia until you reach the WWF oasis where you can see breathtaking scenery and special fauna and flora. Inside the reserve there will be a small buffet including  seasonal fruit. You can then follow-up in the wild long beach about 7 km.

When: every  Wednesday, Friday and Sunday morning  at 08:30, upon reservation 

Duration: 4 hours, 

Description of the Reserve:

Torre Salsa Natural Reserve is located entirely in the territory of Siculiana in the province of Agrigento in the south Sicily. Established in 2000, the reserve is managed by the WWF and has an area of ​​761.62 hectares. The Funcitelle long beach, over seven linear Km, has now become meta of numerous fans and nature lovers: a unique place with views and magnificent landscapes. The area has many paths to the Galia path that leads directly to the Oasis of the WWF, the swamp area, or a particular wetland area that is home of many species of wildlife. In this little paradise you can find about thirty species of birds which nest in the area, among them are: the Reed Warbler, Nightingale and the Cetti's Warbler. And also found nesting raptors like the peregrine falcon, the buzzard, the kestrel, the owl and the barn owl. In the highest areas along the hills and headlands you can watch the famous Lonely Sparrow. Among the floral and aroboree types are typical elements of the Mediterranean maquis as euphorbia arborescent, the mastic tree, the holy thorn, the sumac, Suaeda, the dwarf palm, rosemary, hollyhock of Agrigento, a rare endemic species of southern Sicily; wild olive, Sicilian tea, wild thyme and other special varieties such as juniper and numerous varieties typical of the dune flora. The Reserve takes its name from the ancient Saracen watch tower designed in 1500 by Camillo Camillians and called Torre sauce or marinade. Another element of the archaeological reserve is the area of ​​the mire with the eponymous tower, still little studied today. Along the way you can also see a magnificent "Calcara", typical rural structure that was used to produce the lime plaster and numerous stone quarries. Coming in Torre Salsa you can discover unspoiled nature outside the bustle of the city.

Contact
Email infoculturaltrekking@gmail.com
Tel, (+39) 3285490916

#MeTe by night: cultural and gastronomic tour

Description: The tour includes a visit tour to the Museum of Memory and Territory #MeTe, to  Casa Iacono and a tasting of fine local wines and tipical sicilian foods in the ancient and picturesque District Casale.  Inside the Museum of Memory and Territory #MeTe  will be able to discover the local wine tradition, including the oldest wine factory Luigi Basile and sons. The visit tour will also allow to know unpublished stories on Unity of Italy and Garibaldi's wound. The cycle of wheat, the ancient crafts and religious section will complete the visit at the Museum. The tour continues along the streets of the Arab Quarter Casale down to Casa Iacono, ancient Sicilian home with environments and furniture of the nineteenth century. Along the way it will be possible to taste many wines and tipical products of Sicilian production.

Duration: 2 hours

When: Every day from 20.30 p.m., to 23.50 p.m. , upon reservation

Contact
Email infoculturaltrekking@gmail.com
Tel, (+39) 3285490916

Medieval tour: Chiaramonte Castle, SS. Crocifisso Sanctuary and Museum #MeTe

Description: A route that retraces the places rich in history, culture and faith of the people: the discovery of the ethno-stories in #MeTe Museum of Siculiana, passing the impressive Castello Chiaramonte (XIV century), ancient seat of the cult of the Holy Cross , only to discover the artistic treasures of the shrine dedicated to today and namesake cult.

In 1311 it was celebrated in the castle of Siculiana the second marriage of the only daughter of Federico Chiaramonte, Constance, and the noble Genovese Brancaleone Doria and Branca Doria in other versions. From then on, many were the weddings and noble agreements celebrated in the castle, encouraged by an old belief that wants to "Blessed by Providence" pacts concluded in the rock of Siculiana. The Church of St. Lawrence (XVII Sec) located inside the Castle, became the first seat of the cult of the Holy Cross. Such worship in, popular belief, was connected to the protection of marriages, it is testimony of the current veneration of the statue of the Holy Cross of Siciliana, guarded in the homonymous Sanctuary. And 'so even today many boyfriends promise their marriage before the venrato Simulacro, invoking with their pilgrimage - which takes place every year on May 3 - the blessing of Divine Providence.

When: Every Monday, Thursday and Saturday from  10.30 a.m. 

Duration: 3 hours

Contact
Email infoculturaltrekking@gmail.com
Tel, (+39) 3285490916

Porto Empedocle: the town of “Vigàta” in the stories of the famous Camilleri

Description: The Vigata of novels by Andrea Camilleri is a fictional location that has its roots in his native city of Porto Empedocle. A community born around its port as it was then called the ancient village of Girgenti, to facilitate the transportation of grain and later sulfur. A mineral that was passing through the railway Caos, another place that recalls another great and Nobel Prize winner for literature, known as Luigi Pirandello. Precisely in this country was born deciding at the end of his earthly journey, to return there for eternity, once who became cremated and buried.

Even today, you can admire the historic city monument represented by the Tower of Charles V, built in the mid-sixteenth century to protect the pirate raids coming from North Africa.
A fortress that then lived, the first war of independence with a revolt ended in what the Camilleri himself described in his book titled: "The forgotten massacre."
The Tower of Charles V, later became the seat of the command of the Regia Marina during the Second World War; the city became one of the largest bases of the German Navy in the Mediterranean, until after the Allied landing, came the American troops under General Patton.
A fishing village that grew up around its central street that today is called Via Roma surrounded by plazas, fountains and local dedicated to the most different restaurants. Inevitable for his people was the realization of a large temple built at the beginning of 1900. The church of Our Lady of Good Counsel in the city center is certainly a place worth visiting not only for its many sculptures of them in white chalk, but also for its present mosaic in the Blessed Sacrament chapel.
Porto Empedocle perfectly visible from the beautiful villa Luca Crescente on the district Lanterna, today is a place where history, literature and culture, live in front of the unique environmental beauties, with its golden beaches bordering with the beauty of Scala dei Turchi.
A must for those who want to not only see, but also knowing and living the Sicily, in its many facets reported by writers known throughout the world. At the end of the excursion will be provided an aperitif with tasting of appetizers.

When: Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 17:00 p.m., upon reservation

Duration: 3 hours

Contact
Email infoculturaltrekking@gmail.com
Tel, (+39) 3285490916