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San Vito Lo Capo is set in an attractive geographic location on the northwestern coast of Sicily, between the Gulf of Castellammare and the city of Trapani.The area is of great natural and cultural interest, full of rare archaeological beauties and splendid natural treasures.According to their preferences, visitors can choose to go on archaeological trips and discover the traces of the first prehistoric settlements in Sicily, or let themselves be charmed by the beauty of one of the many sea inlets immersed in the azure sea. Or they can stroll in places where wild nature displays itself in all of its original beauty.Whatever route is chosen, they will be amazed by the wealth these places have to offer.

 

What to see:

The Town. About 39 kilometres from Trapani (100 from the city of Palermo, the district capital) and 6 meters above sea level, San Vito Lo Capo has a population of about 3,750.
Let's take a closer look at this lively town, made of sun and sea, as well as history and monuments. Inside the town, points of special interest include the Torrazzo, the Sanctuary and the tempietto of Santa Crescenza, all in Arab-Norman style.

A short walk from the Sanctuary square is Via Savoia, the main road that leads to the sea. The street is closed to traffic. Here tourists stroll in complete peace, enjoying the view of the beautiful climbing bougainvillaea plants, brightly-coloured flower boxes and pretty wall climbers. In the summer evenings, the main street also accommodates musical concerts, conferences and meetings.

A visit to the Museum of the Sea (Via Savoia 57) is not to be missed. This is where some important archaeological discoveries are preserved, salvaged from the sea bottoms of San Vito, especially from the shipwreck of the Arab-Norman ship that lies on the sea bottom in front of the Lighthouse.

The Palazzo La Porta, the new headquarters of the town council is located in Via Savoia as well. The estate dates back to the 19th century and exemplifies the main features of 19th century architecture, for example in its beautiful majolica floors and the flagstone foyer. To the sides of the palazzo, a lush garden frequently holds exhibitions and cultural events.

The crystal-clear sea and the pure white beach provide the gorgeous frame that makes the town an undisputed pearl of the Mediterranean. One need only consider that San Vito Lo Capo was included among the 300 spots with the most beautiful beaches in Italy (Blue Guide, 2002 ed. Italian Touring Club).
Regarding the sea, there is a final, equally important fact - for the year 2002 as well, San Vito Lo Capo was awarded the Blue Flag of Europe for the quality of its beaches. Everyone in San Vito is very proud of this recognition, which is a further call to tourists seeking untainted nature and evidence of the care and attention that the town's people and administration give to their town.

 

 

Historical outline.

San Vito Lo Capo was established at the end of the 18th century in the territory of Erice at the feet of Mt. Monaco, in the pure white bay between Capo San Vito and Punta Solanto. But the history of this sunny town certainly goes back further in time. Traces of the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic ages are found in the many natural caves, which were once homes, that overlook the sea. The existence of an ancient village called Conturrana remains shrouded in mystery. It's an enormous cliff 500 yards from the shore detached from the mountain. Here, probably around the end of the 4th century BC, there was a small residential centre and a fishing facility.

The beating heart of the town of San Vito is the current Santuario, an ancient Saracen fortress that over the centuries has undergone numerous rounds of construction. The first work done around the 14th century was for the small chapel dedicated to the martyr St. Vitus, the town's patron saint. According the legend, the young Vitus (actually born in Mazara del Vallo), after converting to Christianity, was forced to leave the town to avoid persecutions by the emperor Diocletian. He was accompanied by his nurse Crescenza.

While desperately fleeing, Vitus, just twenty, met his death due to an avalanche that buried the town in which the youth and his nurse had found harbour. Also according to the myth, Saint Crescenza, turning to look at the city as it crumbled, turned to stone at the same spot where the chapel now stands, to which the residents of the place still attribute magical powers.

Over time, the fame of the church grew and miracles were attributed to the martyr Vitus and Saint Crescenza. So, to accommodate the many faithful who came on pilgrimages - and especially to defend them from thieves and bandits, the original structure was transformed into a fortress/lodge. That work dates back to the end of the 15th century.
Meanwhile, dangers increased of invasions from barbarian pirates. Therefore, along the island's coastlines, numerous watchtowers began to be built. The Sanctuary was also fortified with a tower. At the beginning of the 18th century the first houses appeared all around the structure. At the end of the same century, around the church there was already a small core of residences. This was the beginning of San Vito Lo Capo.

Over the span of the centuries, the town welcomed many explorers, travellers, and even government representatives who, motivated by curiosity, cultural or military interests, prepared detailed and interesting descriptions of the geography of the places visited.

 

The Port:

 

The port of San Vito Lo Capo consists of a rubber breakwater dock of 430 m with a wharf and by a 180 m breakwater dock with the last section with a wharf. From the breakwater dock, another internal dock branches off that is 100 m with a wharf to the SW. It is an excellent harbour, including for large pleasure boats.
Access schedule: continuous.
Beacons and navigation lights: 3170 (E 1986) - (omnidirectional radio beacon) white light beacon, 5 sec. period, 25 M range, at 150 m from the tip of the Cape (visible from 036° to 360°); 3172 - red light isophase navigation light, 4 sec. period, 6 M range, in the tower of the previous beacon (visible from 165° to 225° on the shoal to N); 3176 (E 1987) - green light navigation light 5 sec. period, 5 M range, on the end of the floating dock; 3176.2 (E 1987) - fixed green light navigation light 2 vert., 3 M range, on the end of the internal dock (safety distance of 15 m); 3177 (E 1988) - fixed red light navigation light 2 vert., 3 M range, on the tip of the underwater reef.
Sea bottom: sand and algae
Reefs: in wharf from 1 to 4 m.
Moorings: approx. 200
Maximum length: 30 m.
Winds: east, northeast
Onshore wind: 1st quadrant
Lee: with winds of the 3rd and 4th quadrant

AREA RESSERVED FOR RECREATION
Wharf inside of the breakwater dock, beyond the stem, from 50 m to 15 m before the port for small boats, whether for fishing or recreation; wharf of breakwater dock exclusively used for recreation in the summer. Floating docks managed by Diporto Nautico Sanvitese, Circolo Nautico Costa Gaia, Circolo Nautico La Traina and Centro Mare Sport.

SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT

Petroleum and oil distributor on the wharf on the breakwater dock (h. 08/19 - 6 m reefs); water and electric outlets; wharf lighting; launch; tug boat; motor repairs; electric repairs; guard service; toilet and showers; telephone booth. 

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Inserted on 24 febbraio 2009 - San Vito lo capo
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