Aci Trezza historical and naturalistic boat tour

1. Lachea Island Aci Trezza

Lachea Island, not very large, is the largest of the outcrops that make up the Cyclops archipelago, just off the coast of Aci Trezza, Sicily.

It is part of the integral nature reserve Isola Lachea e faraglioni dei Ciclopi, the protected area established by the Sicilian Region in 1998.

The island, like the others in the archipelago, is of subvolcanic origin, formed by the intrusion of magma into the pre-existing rocks of the seabed.

In 1869, a diorite axe from prehistoric times was found, while in 1919, two cave tombs were identified, carved into the rock by the hand of man. The objects found inside one of the two large circular pits (about one metre deep) on the island date from the late Roman period: pots, amphorae, loom weights, bone needles, fragments of a bone comb and a small oil lamp.

The nature museum houses a rich collection of fauna and flora.

2. The Faraglioni

Their origin is thought to be associated with the wrath of the Cyclops Polyphemus who, blinded by Ulysses, allegedly hurled the rocks into the sea at the Greek hero to prevent him from escaping. A story that has certainly fuelled legend about the Cyclops Islands, also recounted in the ninth book of the Odyssey. Fancy aside, these are marvellous works of nature, sculpted over thousands of years by wind and rain, which are part of a protected marine area consisting of the Lachea Island, the Faraglioni and four other rocks arranged in an arch. Their origin - apart from the legend of Polyphemus - can be traced back to the first of the four phases of the evolution of the volcano Etna, an intense volcanic activity that began about half a million years ago.

3. Norman Aci Castle

The Aci Castle is located in Aci Castello in the province of Catania. The fortification, of uncertain origin, was the fulcrum of the development of the Aci territory in the Middle Ages. During the Sicilian Vespers, it was subjected to the rule of Ruggero di Lauria, then in the Aragonese period it belonged to Giovanni di Sicilia and finally to the Alagona family, being besieged several times. It is currently home to a civic museum.

The basaltic promontory where the castle stands is formed by submarine lava flows (pillows) that have a radiometric age of about 500,000 years from the present. The basaltic cliff is surrounded by a prehistoric lava flow, which in 19th century historiography was incorrectly attributed to the eruption of 1169.

Historically, a first castle was built in the 7th century (according to others in the 6th century) by the Byzantines on top of a pre-existing fortification from the Roman period, possibly dating back to 38 and called Castrum Jacis, and aimed at defending the population from raids.

4. Prince Aci Catello's House

It was in February 1749 when Prince Don Luigi Riggio, Don Stefano's successor, had a majestic palace erected in Acitrezza for his residence. The palace was built facing the sea, close to the beach, imposing, grandiose, with eleven windows in a row on the façade and on the sea side, equipped with a rampart rampart against the cannons of the Turkish ships that often infested the seas of eastern Sicily. Until the early 1900s, the prince's palace, as it was commonly called, was still visible in the magnificence of its rooms, with the fine decorations on the walls and ceilings.

5. Ulysses Caves Catania in the protected area

A bathe in the history of legendary events that supposedly took place between the 13th and 12th centuries BC.

6.Rodolico Shipyard at Aci Trezza

Shipwrights have been shaping wood for millennia, creating constructions that still ply our waters today. A true art that encompasses the skills of designer, naval engineer, carpenter as well as artist. For five generations, the Rodolico shipyard has been operating in Acitrezza, the holder of this ancient, noble and precious profession. A craft that has almost disappeared but is dense with history, folklore and traditions to be remembered and preserved. The Rodolico Shipyard in Acitrezza was founded towards the end of the 19th century thanks to Salvatore Rodolico who, together with his son Sebastiano, began building rowing and sailing boats for clients in Catania. An invoice dated 1908, made out to the University of Catania, documents the construction of a boat to transport passengers to the Lachea island. The original shipyard was located in the area known as 'stagnitta', today 'Via Rodolico', and then settled permanently in front of the Lachea island, inside the old Scalo dei Malavoglia. The 1960s marked the beginning of the golden age for the shipyard, which passed into the hands of young Salvatore who, assisted by his sons Sebastiano and Giovanni and more than thirty workers, began to build imposing wooden fishing boats.

What you should bring:

• 1. Sunglasses
• 2. Swimming costume
• 3. Bathing towel
• 4. Slippers
• 5. Sun cream