Marettimo, the westernmost island of the Egadi Islands is large-part unspoiled, beautiful with it pure rock coastline, where it hides about 400 caves all along its coast, as well as small beaches reachable only by boat.
The island is a rocky promontory extended for about 7 km, reaching 686 meters above sea level at the summit of Monte Falcone. Here terrestrial flora is particularly rich, counting about 500 different plant species. The fauna however, is a bit less diverse, but prolific in different wildlife (rabbits, wild boars, reptiles and migratory birds).
The Marettimo coast is rocky, characterized by hundreds of caves and coves that open up to a crystalline blue sea. At the Rock of the Camel, on the eastern side of the island, there is a small beach harmoniously wedged within a cave. The scenario that presents itself is almost magical.
Further north is Punta Troia, which continues to the Cave of Thunder. In the northwestern tip, Mugnone, is particularly rich in marine life, perfect for diving enthusiasts (spearfishing is strictly prohibited).
The western coast, is the most suggestive of Marettimo, is Cala Bianca, where the water, at the intersection of several caves, has a clarity that is impossible to match (Grotta delle Sirene, Perciata Cave, and Cave of the Nativity, the latter with different forms of stalagmites and stalactites). Arrive at Punta Libeccio, after passing Pegna Punta and Punta Bombard, aside from the small beach of Cala Spalmatore, a place that in the year 2000 became famous for the discovery of a wreck pirate ship.
In the southern part of Marettimo, the rugged coastline continues, with Cala Nera, Punta Cretazzo, Punta Galera, the Conca, Punta Cortiglio and Cala Martino places of great beauty, perfect for a refreshing swim. Do not miss the pebbly beaches of Praianacchi and Scale Master, the latter at the foot of Punta Troia Castle.
The Castle of Punta Troia
Reaching the Castle of Punta Troia should be done with a wonderful hike of about an hour, along a path surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation.
You arrive at the castle, located on a promontory, about 100 meters off the shoreline. Built by the Saracens, it was greatly enlarged during the Norman period and later by the Spanish. Used as a place of exile for political dissidents by the French, today it is in a state of neglect, with some walls damaged by the forces of rain and wind.
