Although the historical and artistic heritage of Sicily is remarkable and absolutely unmissable, during a trip to the island, the Sicilian landscapes are also a true marvel.
Think, for example, of Etna, the marvelous salt pans of Trapani, the Alcantara gorges and the Scala dei Turchi. This is a naturalistic marvel artfully shaped by Mother Nature and, when you find yourself in her presence, it seems instead that it is the result of her most ingenious chisel.
Scala dei Turchi in Realmonte: curiosities and anecdotes
It rises to Realmontein province of Agrigento, Between big tip e Lido Rossello, just 14 km from the Valley of the Temples. There are many things that every visitor must know, in order to fully appreciate them beyond their undoubtedly scenographic aspect. So here are seven curiosities.
Scala dei Turchi history and composition
It is made up of a particular rock called marl, whose origins are prehistoric: it seems in fact that it was formed between 5 and 2 million years ago. The marl is composed of clay, limestone and minerals, which give it that particular candid and almost shimmering color in the sun: this rock, overlooking the turquoise sea, is surrounded on the sides by two sandy beaches and the chromatic contrast that is created is really great.
The erosion of the elements
La Scala has taken on this very particular crafts because oferosive action of the winds and waves of the sea: the more resistant limestone and the more friable clay have resisted erosion in different ways and at different times, giving life to these very scenic undulating steps. This monumental staircase seems so perfect that it appears more the work of man than of nature.
Because it's called Scala dei Turchi
The name of this monument refers to the period in which Sicily was subject to Arab incursions: at this promontory of Realmonte Turkish ships docked in the 500th century, as they found it easy to climb these steps and set out to plunder the villages of the Sicilian hinterland, including Realmonte.
The most famous Sicilian white cliff as a film set
The beauty of the Scala dei Turchi has been immortalized in many films successful, such as the TV series linked to the events of Inspector Montalbano, taken from Camilleri's books of the same name. The director Giuseppe Tornatore also shot some scenes of his film Malena in this spectacular place in southern Sicily.
Admire the Scala dei Turchi from the boat
It is possible to reach the Scala dei Turchi by car from Realmonte, along the SP68, or from Agrigento through the SS115. However, it is closed to the public to protect it from wear and tear and incivility: for this reason, the best way to admire it is on a boat, perhaps at sunset, when the Scala dei Turchi reveals all its wonder turning pink, thanks to the light of the sun that is about to disappear on the horizon.
Scala dei Turchi curiosities: legend of the Scogli Gucciarda
Off the Scala dei Turchi there are the Gucciarda rocks, also known as a zita eu zitu: the legend narrates that these rocks have sprung up at the point where the young lovers Rosalia and Giuseppe put an end to their existence. Her father did not appreciate the boy because of his humble origins and strongly opposed their union. The man even decided to lock up Rosalia in a convent: before the exile, however, the two lovers decided to see each other one last time and, on that very occasion, they decided to commit suicide together, by throwing themselves from the Scala dei Turchi. It is said that when the sea is calm and there is a full moon in the sky, you can hear the heartbreaking laments of Rosalia, desperate for the end made by her and by her beloved Giuseppe.
The jewel of salt near the Scala dei Turchi
Just 3 km from the Scala dei Turchi you can visit the Salt Cathedral of Realmonte: it was built at a good 300 m. of depth by the miners, in those same quarries from which top quality kainite and rock salt are extracted. This underground cathedral is a real marvel, whose decorations in the rooms reproduce a crucifix, the Holy Family and above all Santa Barbara, the patron saint of miners. Just on the occasion of the day feast dedicated to Santa Barbara, in the Salt Cathedral of Realmonte, which has a capacity of about 800 seats, a suggestive liturgical function takes place.
Fly to Sicily and let yourself be conquered by the ancestral and poignant beauty of the Scala dei Turchi, a monument shaped by nature where history and legend mix, imposing itself as one of the most beautiful jewels in all of Sicily.
