The Belice Valley: what to visit between nature and towns
Visit the Belice Valley, a hilly area that develops around the Belice River in western Sicily. Discover the best attractions!
History of the valley
The Belice River
Selinunte Archaeological Park
The Cusa quarries
The Torretta village
Menfi and Portopalo
The Garcia lake
Entella cave nature reserve
Poggioreale
How to move
What to see in the Belice Valley
Sea, culture, history, gastronomy and hospitality: these are the characteristics that you will find in the Belice Valley, a hilly area that extends between the provinces of Palermo, Agrigento and Trapani. Your holiday will be under the banner of the most magical Sicily among archaeological sites, enchanting beaches, lush vegetation and a history that was heavily influenced by an earthquake. Get ready to discover a valley full of attractions, perhaps by choosing one of our excursions.
History of the valley
This area, which is located in western Sicily and crosses three provinces, has been inhabited since prehistoric times and offers numerous archaeological sites that have not yet been fully discovered. It saw the settlement of the Sicans, the Helms, the Phoenicians and the Greeks, of which several testimonies remain. Since ancient times, the main agricultural resource of the area has been, in addition to agriculture, the cultivation of the olive tree. The Belice Valley was hit by a very strong earthquake in 1968 which devastated most of the municipalities in the area. More than 50 years after the earthquake, the damage has not yet been completely remedied.
The Belice River
The Belice is a 95 km long river, one of the largest in southern Sicily in terms of extension. The mouth is near the province of Trapani, more precisely in the town of Selinunte. It is a very important watercourse for the area and is characterized by large floods in autumn and winter and almost total lean in summer. At the confluence of the two branches (right and left) the Entella cave nature reserve was established, while in the 1980s a barrier on the left side of the Belice gave rise to the artificial lake Garcia which we will discuss later.
Selinunte Archaeological Park
It is one of the largest archaeological parks in Europe and covers over 270 hectares. It is the direct expression of classical Greece and the Doric style, whose salient features were simple lines and respect for the proportions of each single part between them and with the whole. Seven distinct areas can be identified, each of which is able to tell the greatness of the ancient city. In addition to the acropolis, the artisan district is very interesting, which was located near the eastern walls of the city and is characterized by the presence of numerous kilns and areas where ceramics were produced.
The Cusa quarries
About 13 kilometers from the Archaeological Park is this site among the most evocative of Sicily. The quarries represented until 409 BC. an indispensable mine of raw materials for the construction of temples and buildings in the city of Selinunte. The name derives from the name of the owner of the funds in which the quarries were located. In addition to history, there is a somewhat suspended atmosphere, as if activities were to resume at any moment. The area was quickly abandoned due to the sudden war with the Carthaginians. After 5 days of siege Selinunte was totally destroyed, thousands of citizens were killed and as many deported.
The Torretta village
The village of Torretta, located in the province of Palermo, is a fishing village where the first tonnara was built. The place had been inhabited since ancient times and was known for its defense tower (hence the name). The first historical evidence of the village's expansion dates back to 1700. In addition to the picturesque old town, you can appreciate the church dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie, built in the 18th century, and where precious works of art and relics are kept.
Menfi and Portopalo
Two close gems from the Belice Valley are certainly Menfi and Portopalo. The first can give you a historic center full of palaces, refined buildings and towers. Within the municipality there is also the Belice River Mouth Nature Reserve: a protected area that includes a coastal area, with beaches bathed by a crystal clear sea and a second part towards the hinterland characterized by dunes and Mediterranean vegetation. The town of Menfi is also known for being one of the largest vineyards in Europe.
Porto Palo is a small hamlet of Menfi, popular for its beach that stretches over 10 kilometers. It can count on a pretty marina and a promenade lined with palm trees. Some of its beaches have been awarded the blue flag. To the west of Porto Palo there is a succession of coves that take the name of Spiaggia delle Solette.
The Garcia lake
It is a dam, an artificial lake between Poggioreale and Monreale, in the province of Palermo. It was born in the 80s thanks to the Consortium for the Upper and Middle Belice to solve the problem of crop irrigation. It is located 194 meters above sea level and is almost 5 kilometers long. It has now become a reference point for migratory birds and many types of fish live in its waters.
Entella cave nature reserve
This protected area is located in the municipality of Contessa Entellina, in the province of Palermo. Within the territory, the main attraction is the Entella cave, which inside allows you to admire slides, stalagmite pits, stalactites and plasters of great speleological value. The surrounding area, on the other hand, is characterized by luxuriant vegetation suitable for the chalky substrate. The rock faces are home to numerous bird species, including the kestrel, the peregrine falcon and the buzzard. The credit is also due to the nearby Garcia lake.
Poggioreale
The town was totally rebuilt on three bastions after the earthquake that hit the Belice Valley. A tragedy that is also remembered by the monument to the victims of the earthquake. The ancient area that collects the suggestive ruins continues over the years to fascinate tourists, visitors and directors who have transformed it into a film set for films and TV series. Giuseppe Tornatore shot “Nuovo cinema Paradiso” there. An atmosphere suspended in time that still gives charm and suggestions. “The ghost town”, as it is called, has become an important place of remembrance. Other ruins are those of the town of Salaparuta, a few kilometers away: they are in a worse state of conservation.
How to move
The Belice Valley is easily crossed by car, as it winds through three provinces and dozens of municipalities. This Sicily is full of treasures and is suitable for all the needs of those who want a holiday in contact with nature also for walking and trekking, but also for those who want to take a dip in history. There is also the possibility to book guided tours. Poggioreale is, however, about seventy kilometers from Trapani, 60 from Palermo and 120 from Agrigento.