The ancient lighthouse at Cape Murro di Porco and the Maddalena Peninsula
An evocative place of reflection for lovers of the sea and photography. La Magdalena Peninsula, with its Cape Murro di Porco, is one of the major points of interest of the wonderful Plemmirio Reserve. Let’s find out together what this jagged ravine of the Syracuse coast has to tell.
The Plemmirio Reserve and its impact on ancient history
“The soul of Syracuse where it is possible to breathe in the true scents of our land.”
That’s how the great Enzo Maiorca, better known as the “lord of the abysses” and it is precisely here that the ashes of the famous Syracuse freediver lie.
If we could personify the Plemmirio sea, we will credit him with the soul of a good counselor, calm and meditative, who if something goes wrong, however, turns, showing his darker side. The stretch of coastline from Punta Castelluccio crosses the entire Peninsula of La Maddalena all the way to Punta Milocca is just so, a two-sided paradise on earth, greatly influenced by the “wavy sea” as sung by Virgil.
It is here that we return to theancient Greek history. This 15-kilometer long coastline was used as corsair ship sighting point. It was the gateway to theancient Hellenic East, a point of trade and a place of battles, such as the one that took place between Athens e Syracuse in 415 B.C. It is because of these historical events that it is today given the designation of “underwater archaeological park” (find out more about underwater archaeological itineraries here). In these bottoms it is possible to find to this day amphorae, wrecks e various historical artifacts, some of which are housed in the Paolo Orsi Museum
in Syracuse.
I 2,500 hectares of reserve present a remarkable marine biodiversity. The seabed, characterized by numerous shoals, goes from shallow depths up to 40 meters and more. Enriching this sea is the presence of corals e large pelagic fish such as tuna, amberjack, sharks, and mammals such as dolphins, whales, and sperm whales at certain times of the year. In addition, here are some of the Largest shells in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Magdalena Peninsula and the “breath of the sea”
La Magdalena Peninsula is a real prominence of the Syracuse coastline. It overlooks the sea with crags About 16 meters high. Here, during gales, the sea breaks into the jagged cliffs and rises in walls of water and salt spray. The geological structure of the peninsula presents numerous caves and crevices communicating with the land above. These with theripple of the sea act as a channel for the power of the waves, causing them to rise up in the form of geysers and producing a sound effect referred to as “breath of the sea” o “u susciuni“.
That of the Magdalene culminates with its most extreme point: Cape Murro di Porco. Here in 1859, the famous lighthouse of Murro di Porco, a 20-meter structure used as a point of reference and signaling of the coast. Its presence not only showed sailors the right way, but also allowed them to sense and avoid approaching this stretch of coastline.
As Camillus Camilliani in 1584 “The currents and flooding of the sea are so great, that with great difficulty the vessels can be saved there. […] Pulling then out into the surroundings of the promontory, there are the very high and cavernous rocks, precipitous and curved to the sea in such a way, that to those who approach them it seems that the whole mountain wants to ruin them; and the sea here is so dark and deep, that with its darkness and the overhang of the rocks, which can be seen there, it brings great terror and fright to those who look at them.”
What to see in Plemmirio?
An area entirely to be discovered on foot or via the Plemmirio cycle path which connects panoramic points e small beaches. The reserve is dotted with numerous openings, as well as small coves characterized by white rocks and crystal clear water. Not to be missed are: Punta Castelluccio, Punta della Mola, Minaret Beach, the Pillirina Cave, Punta Tavernara, the Elephant Rock and the Varco 27.
Now all that remains is to take note and put this incredible place on one’s list of things to see in Sicily!
Luca Russo