Aci Trezza between the marine reserve and Sicilian local history

Aci Trezza combines maritime landscapes, Sicilian local history and cultural heritage in a compact area. In the Isole Ciclopi marine reserve, divers have access to eight underwater routes. Anyone wishing to explore the seabed off Aci Trezza can do so with a mask and snorkel.

Islands, volcanic landscapes and water experiences

Isola Lachea is the largest island in the Isole Ciclopi archipelago. It was formed about 500,000 years ago by the eruption of an underwater volcano. Archaeological investigations suggest that the island has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was regularly visited during the late Roman and Byzantine periods.

Swimmers have access to a protected 1,100-metre open-water swimming route. It runs along the coast from Lungomare Scardamiano in Aci Castello to the southern pier of the port of Aci Trezza.

Practical information for getting around

The visitor centre of the Isole Ciclopi marine reserve is located on the main road in Aci Trezza, at Via Provinciale 5/d. Public information is available there, and you can also book visits. When arriving from the north via the A18 Messina–Catania motorway, take the Acireale exit; the SS 114 then continues to Aci Trezza. AST buses to Aci Trezza depart from Piazza Giovanni XXIII at Catania's main railway station.

Film, fishing and living craftsmanship

The Museo Casa del Nespolo is located in an old residence in the historic centre of Aci Trezza, next to the Church of San Giovanni. In the “La terra trema” room, you can see photographs, film posters and other evidence of Luchino Visconti's film, which was shot in Aci Trezza in 1947 with exclusively amateur actors from the town.

The “Stanza dei Malavoglia” room focuses on the world of Aci Trezza's fishermen in the mid-19th century. Old work tools and household objects are displayed alongside photographs personally taken by Giovanni Verga and a collection of letters to his brother Pietro.

Typical wooden boats from Aci Trezza are still built today at the historic Cantiere Navale of the Rodolico family next to the Antico scalo dei Malavoglia. The boatbuilding craft has been passed down from father to son for five generations. The boats have been included in the register of Sicily's intangible cultural heritage as ethnological and anthropological assets worthy of protection. The Cantiere Rodolico in the centre of Aci Trezza has been regarded for years as an authentic museum of the local maritime heritage.

The tradition of “U pisci a mari” also draws on the history of fishing. It dates back to around 1750 and parodies swordfish fishing. The performance takes place in the waters in front of the port of Aci Trezza; a fisherman at the end of the pier, known as “U Raisi”, directs the depiction of the fishing activity.

Church, festival and other maritime traces

The Festa di San Giovanni in Aci Trezza is celebrated on 24 June and combines religious faith with folklore. The Church of San Giovanni was officially reopened for worship on 14 October 1696. After hope of rebuilding the former parish church had been abandoned, the parish title was transferred to San Giovanni.

The Bastioncello, also known as the “Torre dei Faraglioni”, was the smaller of two bastions used to monitor the waters in front of the Faraglioni of Aci Trezza. Today, only the ground floor remains visible. Some parts of the Museo della Navigazione Storica Trezzota are housed in Villa Fortuna in Aci Trezza.

The maritime tradition is also reflected in the regional cuisine: at participating restaurants, local chefs can prepare the catch according to Sicilian recipes.

For further travel planning, you can also discover Riposto, Acireale, San Giovanni Montebello, Belpasso, Aci Sant'antonio, Montelaguardia, Militello In Val Di Catania and Santa Venera-portosalvo for your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Catania.