Alcamo Marina is a seaside resort in the north-western part of
Sicily
(man) it, Siciliana (woman)
, population_note =
, population_blank1_title =
, population_blank1 =
, demographics_type1 = Ethnicity
, demographics1_footnotes =
, demographi ...
and in the town territory of
Alcamo
Alcamo (; scn, Àrcamu, italic=no) is the fourth-largest town and commune of the Province of Trapani, Sicily, with a population of 44.925 inhabitants. It is on the borderline with the Metropolitan City of Palermo at a distance of about 50 kilo ...
. It is situated 6 km far from it,
about 5 km from the small town of
Castellammare del Golfo
Castellammare del Golfo (; scn, Casteddammari; la, Emporium Segestanorum or ) is a town and municipality in the Trapani Province of Sicily. The name can be translated as "Sea Fortress on the Gulf", stemming from the medieval fortress in the ha ...
,
[ 16 km from the village of ]Scopello
__NOTOC__
The Commune of Scopello (Italian: ''Comune di Scopello''; population about 450) is located in the Valsesia region of the Italian Pennine Alps, in the Piedmontese Province of Vercelli. The municipality covers an area of and ranges in ...
, and 49 km from the famous seaside resort of San Vito Lo Capo
San Vito Lo Capo ( scn, Santu Vitu) is a town and ''comune'' in North-Western Sicily, Italy, administratively part of the province of Trapani. The small town is located in a valley between mountains, and is home to a public beach that is destin ...
. Alcamo Marina is characterized by a very fine, golden sand beach[ about 10 km long, absolutely free (except for some little tracts that people can cross near hotels, lidos, etc.).
During the summer season Alcamo Marina is very populated: in fact there are a lot of ]holiday house
A holiday cottage, holiday home, vacation home, or vacation property is accommodation used for holiday vacations, corporate travel, and temporary housing often for less than 30 days. Such properties are typically small homes, such as cottage ...
s (both near the beach and on the hills overlooking it), a hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Facilities provided inside a hotel room may range from a modest-quality mattress in a small room to large suites with bigger, higher-quality beds, a dresser, a ref ...
and various bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfast (typically shortened to B&B or BnB) is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast. Bed and breakfasts are often private family homes and typically have between four and eleven rooms, wit ...
.
Geography
Territory
The territory of Alcamo Marina is bounded by the stream Finocchio on the east (near Balestrate), the river San Bartolomeo on the west (near Castellammare del Golfo
Castellammare del Golfo (; scn, Casteddammari; la, Emporium Segestanorum or ) is a town and municipality in the Trapani Province of Sicily. The name can be translated as "Sea Fortress on the Gulf", stemming from the medieval fortress in the ha ...
), the Tyrrhenian Sea
The Tyrrhenian Sea (; it, Mar Tirreno , french: Mer Tyrrhénienne , sc, Mare Tirrenu, co, Mari Tirrenu, scn, Mari Tirrenu, nap, Mare Tirreno) is part of the Mediterranean Sea off the western coast of Italy. It is named for the Tyrrhenian pe ...
on the north and Alcamo on the south.[Quando il "buonsenso edilizio" scompare: Alcamo Marina]
/ref>
Going from east towards west, the territory of Alcamo Marina is subdivided into different "zones":
*" Contrada Calatubo" (called also zona Aleccia by residents), including the wood "Le macchie" near the beach and the remains of an ancient castle (called "castello di Calatubo" too), located in the area between Alcamo and Balestrate;
*"Contrada Canalotto"; with the so-called “fosso Canalotto"in the middle and the deep valley Molinella separating it from contrada Calatubo. The area further west is called "zona Battigia" by residents;
*"Contrada Plaia";
*"Contrada Magazzinazzi", about a hundred metres before the river San Bartolomeo, connecting Alcamo Marina to the beach of Castellammare del Golfo (in Trapani Province
Trapani ( it, Provincia di Trapani, scn, Pruvincia di Tràpani; officially ''Libero consorzio comunale di Trapani'') is a Provinces of Italy, province in the autonomous island region of Sicily, southern Italy. Following the suppression of the Sic ...
).
*"Contrada Foggia", south of contrada Magazinazzi.
The streams Giovenco, Placati and Stellino cross this territory from south northwards.
Alcamo Marina is crossed by the railway Palermo-Trapani, which runs near the beach. The railway bounds a narrow strip more downhill, nearer to the sea which is called "sotto linea" (that is "below the railway"), while the biggest part of Alcamo Marina’s territory is situated above the railway and is called "sopra linea"(that is "above the railway"). Pedestrians can cross the railway through different flyovers and subways, while cars and motorbikes can cross it through level crossings and an underpass near the Battigia zone.
File:Castello di Calatubo.jpg, The Castle of Calatubo
File:Fiori sulla spiaggia - panoramio (1).jpg, Gigli marini
File:Tramonto sulla spiaggia di Alcamo Marina 02.jpg, Sunset at contrada Canalotti
File:Spiaggia di Alcamo Marina 02.jpg, The beach at contrada Magazzinazzi
File:Processione di Maria SS. Assunta.jpg, Procession of Maria Santissima Assunta, 15 August
History
Origins
The construction of its first buildings was related to its being a location for tuna fishing.
The "sack" of Alcamo Marina
At first sight the area of Alcamo Marina looks like a huge "wood of houses" leaning on the long and near beach and on the fragile hills lying behind made of recent limestones and sandstones.
At the end of the fifties and beginning of the sixties, as happened with the "sack of Palermo
The Sack of Palermo is the popular term for the construction boom from the 1950s through the mid-1980s in Palermo, Italy, that led to the destruction of the city's green belt and historic villas to make way for characterless and shoddily-constructe ...
", this area was actually sacrificed to a big property speculation and to unauthorized building, with consequences which did not delay to arrive. In fact, in addition to the damage done because of the non-exploitation of this area for touristic purposes, there were also the environmental deterioration produced by the striking urban migration and the structural damages arising for the existing buildings, above all in those which had been built on the slopes with a high risk of hydrogeological instability,[ already showing widespread signs of structural failure which oblige the owners to frequent and expensive works to make their houses safe.
Several criticisms have been moved at the time to the choice of lotting out the waterfront to build, because it would have been more correct to make a choice for a promenade serving the bathing area with a limited number of private houses in favour of hotel facilities which would have been more profitable (both on short and long term) and would have given a huge economic and occupational return thanks to the characteristics of the surrounding territory and the length of this beach.]
The carabinieris' small post slaughter
On 27 January 1976 it occurred the so-called "Alcamo Marina's slaughter": two carabinieris, the nineteen years old Carmine Apuzzo and the lance-corporal Salvatore Falcetta, were killed while sleeping in the small post.
Attempts of the environment revaluation
In 2011 they inaugurated a long wooden platform in Alcamo Marina, built in order to give an access to the beach to disabled people too.[ However it was destroyed by the winter sea storms and it has become the subject of debates.
Since June 2014, the streets of Alcamo Marina were provided by ]toponym
Toponymy, toponymics, or toponomastics is the study of '' toponyms'' (proper names of places, also known as place names and geographic names), including their origins, meanings, usage and types. Toponym is the general term for a proper name of ...
s.
Main sights
Religious buildings
At Alcamo Marina there is the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Stella (also called "Stella Maris"), with a central body with a poliedric plan; you can go inside it by passing through a portal which is surmounted by a mosaic representing Santa Maria della Stella.
There is also an old small church near the Tonnara (in the Battigia area). You can also attend Mass at the ''Oasi Maria Regina della Famiglia'' locatednext to Piazzale Canalotto.
Archeological sites
Near contrada Magazinazzi, further to the excavations made between 2003 and 2005, they found the remains of old Roman furnaces which were used for the production of tiles and bricks.[
]
Paleontologic sites
The territory of Alcamo Marina is full of fossil shells dating back to the Inferior Pleistocene and belonging to the geologic formation
A geological formation, or simply formation, is a body of rock having a consistent set of physical characteristics ( lithology) that distinguishes it from adjacent bodies of rock, and which occupies a particular position in the layers of rock exp ...
called "Sintema of Marsala". Some of the present species are: Artica islandica, Chlamis multistriata and Ostrea.[
For this purpose, on 15 July 2014 at Alcamo Marina (in the Calatubo zone) they created a geologic point and a paleontologic laboratory called "Fossilandia".Fossilandia - Comunicato Stampa]
/ref>
Natural areas
The sea lily
Crinoids are marine animals that make up the class Crinoidea. Crinoids that are attached to the sea bottom by a stalk in their adult form are commonly called sea lilies, while the unstalked forms are called feather stars or comatulids, which are ...
, a plant of the family Amaryllidaceae
The Amaryllidaceae are a family of herbaceous, mainly perennial and bulbous (rarely rhizomatous) flowering plants in the monocot order Asparagales. The family takes its name from the genus ''Amaryllis'' and is commonly known as the amaryllis fa ...
blooming in summer,[ grows on the dunes of Alcamo Marina.
Other plants naturally growing on the coastal dunes in Alcamo Marina are '']Cakile maritima
''Cakile maritima'', sea rocket (Britain and Ireland)Clive Stace, ''New Flora of the British Isles'' 4th edition 2019, p 441 or European searocket (North America), is a common plant in the mustard family Brassicaceae. It is widespread in Europe ...
'' and '' Agropyrum junceum''.[Non toccate le dune di Alcamo Marina!]
/ref> The seeds of these plants are transported here by the wind.[
]
Economy
As Alcamo Marina is a seaside resort, the main economic activities are based on entertainments and restoration (rented holidays houses, pizzerias, restaurants and bars).
Transports and infrastructures
By car - Alcamo Marina is served by the A29 Motorway Palermo
Palermo ( , ; scn, Palermu , locally also or ) is a city in southern Italy, the capital (political), capital of both the autonomous area, autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the city's surrounding metropolitan ...
-Mazara del Vallo
Mazara del Vallo (; ) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Trapani, southwestern Sicily, Italy. It lies mainly on the left bank at the mouth of the Mazaro river.
It is an agricultural and fishing centre and its port gives shelter to the ...
with two junctions: Alcamo Est (at about 3 km distance) and Castellammare del Golfo
Castellammare del Golfo (; scn, Casteddammari; la, Emporium Segestanorum or ) is a town and municipality in the Trapani Province of Sicily. The name can be translated as "Sea Fortress on the Gulf", stemming from the medieval fortress in the ha ...
(at about 4 km).
Trains - The railway station of Castellammare del Golfo
Castellammare del Golfo (; scn, Casteddammari; la, Emporium Segestanorum or ) is a town and municipality in the Trapani Province of Sicily. The name can be translated as "Sea Fortress on the Gulf", stemming from the medieval fortress in the ha ...
(at about 3 km from the centre of Alcamo Marina) is situated on the railway line Palermo
Palermo ( , ; scn, Palermu , locally also or ) is a city in southern Italy, the capital (political), capital of both the autonomous area, autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the city's surrounding metropolitan ...
-Trapani
Trapani ( , ; scn, Tràpani ; lat, Drepanum; grc, Δρέπανον) is a city and municipality (''comune'') on the west coast of Sicily, in Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Trapani. Founded by Elymians, the city is still an impor ...
and is connected to Alcamo Marina and Alcamo
Alcamo (; scn, Àrcamu, italic=no) is the fourth-largest town and commune of the Province of Trapani, Sicily, with a population of 44.925 inhabitants. It is on the borderline with the Metropolitan City of Palermo at a distance of about 50 kilo ...
by buses in the summer season.
Buses - The town bus Alcamo
Alcamo (; scn, Àrcamu, italic=no) is the fourth-largest town and commune of the Province of Trapani, Sicily, with a population of 44.925 inhabitants. It is on the borderline with the Metropolitan City of Palermo at a distance of about 50 kilo ...
-Alcamo Marina runs since 15 June until September with different stops, including the railway station. Besides there are coaches for Palermo
Palermo ( , ; scn, Palermu , locally also or ) is a city in southern Italy, the capital (political), capital of both the autonomous area, autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the city's surrounding metropolitan ...
and San Vito lo Capo
San Vito Lo Capo ( scn, Santu Vitu) is a town and ''comune'' in North-Western Sicily, Italy, administratively part of the province of Trapani. The small town is located in a valley between mountains, and is home to a public beach that is destin ...
stopping at Alcamo Marina.
Alcamo Marina is at about 40 km. far from "Falcone-Borsellino" airport at Palermo
Palermo ( , ; scn, Palermu , locally also or ) is a city in southern Italy, the capital (political), capital of both the autonomous area, autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the city's surrounding metropolitan ...
-Punta Raisi
Falcone Borsellino Airport ( it, link=no, Aeroporto Falcone Borsellino) or simply Palermo Airport, formerly Punta Raisi Airport, is an international airport located at Cinisi, west northwest of Palermo, the capital city of the Italian islan ...
and about 50 km. from the airport "Vincenzo Florio" at Trapani
Trapani ( , ; scn, Tràpani ; lat, Drepanum; grc, Δρέπανον) is a city and municipality (''comune'') on the west coast of Sicily, in Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Trapani. Founded by Elymians, the city is still an impor ...
-Birgi
Birgi is a small town located in the Ödemiş district of İzmir province in Turkey. Its current name is a distortion of its medieval Greek name, Pyrgion (Greek: Πυργίον, meaning "Little Tower").
History
In antiquity, the town was known ...
.
See also
* Alcamo
Alcamo (; scn, Àrcamu, italic=no) is the fourth-largest town and commune of the Province of Trapani, Sicily, with a population of 44.925 inhabitants. It is on the borderline with the Metropolitan City of Palermo at a distance of about 50 kilo ...
* Gulf of Castellammare
The gulf of Castellammare is a large and deep natural inlet going from Capo Rama (near Terrasini, in the province of Palermo) and Capo San Vito near San Vito Lo Capo, in the province of Trapani. It is located on the western coast of Sicily and it ...
* Castellammare del Golfo
Castellammare del Golfo (; scn, Casteddammari; la, Emporium Segestanorum or ) is a town and municipality in the Trapani Province of Sicily. The name can be translated as "Sea Fortress on the Gulf", stemming from the medieval fortress in the ha ...
* Balestrate
Notes
References
*
*
*
{{authority control
Buildings and structures in Alcamo
Frazioni of the Province of Trapani