TOURISM IN SYRACUSE, SICILY

The Nature Reserve of Vendicari

The nature reserve of Vendicari, halfway between Syracuse and Noto, was founded in 1984 to protect one of the most important wetlands in Europe.
Hundreds of animal species inhabit it, but particularly rich is the fauna of water birds, especially during migration periods, when visiting the reserve becomes a must.
Among the species that inhabit or use the Reserve during their migration are stilts, herons, storks, flamingos, mallards, seagulls, cormorants, and others.

The area is equipped with huts for bird-watching. The best period for this activity is the month of December.

The Reserve also protects an area of Mediterranean scrub in an excellent (and now rare, unfortunately) condition of conservation.
Visitors are required to observe some simple rules of respect for nature, listed at the entrance.


 
One of the marshes of the reserve, populated by flocks of waterfowl. 
The Former Salt Beds
Inside the Reserve are brackish marshes that once were used as salt beds from which salt was extracted and used to preserve fish in the nearby tuna plant (“tonnara”).
Part of this area of ponds is perennial, while another - the largest - is drying up cyclically every summer.

The ponds are frequented by a great population of waterfowl. The best time to observe them are the late autumn and winter, when the marshes are flooded again after the period of "dry" summer.


 
The beach and the "Cala delle Mosche" of Vendicari. On the promontory, the Spanish Tower. 
The Beach
Within the reserve itself is a public beach, particularly suited to those who have children with them; with the caveat, of course, that the beach is not outfitted and is maintained in its natural state: no booths (although one exists near the entrance), no umbrellas... but also no motorboats.

In order to protect marine life, to the right of the beach (that is, in the opposite direction of the tonnara and the tower) swimming is not allowed, but one can swim on the left side. As always, the greatest respect for nature is recommended and particularly necessary in a natural park.

A curiosity: the sea throws onto the beach strange balls of filaments compacted by the motion of the waves and produced by Posidonia oceanica, a marine plant that in order to live needs absolutely clear and unpolluted water: their presence therefore is not a form of "pollution", but guarantees the cleanliness of the sea.


 
The pillars of the tonnara’s shed. 
The Tonnara.
On the tip that demarcates the "Cala delle Mosche" ("Cove of the Flies") rise the ruins of a shed and of an industrial plant for the preparation of tuna, abandoned after the war. A high chimney also stands on the complex.
The tonnara dates back to the 18th century, although the atmospheric remains of the structure that one sees (consolidated and rendered fit for use by a recent restoration) actually date from 1920, when they tried a more distinctly “industrial” approach (as evidenced by the chimney) to this traditional activity.
The activity itself is, however, more ancient, going back to Greek times, as the archaeological remains of facilities for the processing of fish (such as tanks dug into the rock) can attest.


 
The "Svwabian Tower", built by the Spanish in the first half of the 15th century.
Tower (15th century)
Next to the tonnara you see the so-called "Swabian Tower", which actually dates from the period of the Catalan domination (it was built by Peter of Aragon, 1416-1458), fresh from a restoration.
It was a military structure designed to defend this area of the coast, and its economic activities, from attacks from the sea.
When in use, it was equipped with a garrison and two bronze cannons.

How to reach the nature reserve of Vendicari from the Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel.

Visitor Information
Admission to the reserve is free.
Schools and groups must book in advance (telephone (++39) 0931 67450, fax (++39) 0931 62373).
For groups a free, guided tour (on alternate days, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) is available by reservation, provided that the group does not exceed 50 people.
The route (on the road or on a boardwalk) is accessible even to people with mobility problems.

Those who do not wish to dedicate an entire day to the reserve may combine it with a visit to the city of Noto (which requires a half-day) and to the Roman Villa of Tellàro.

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