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THE HISTORY

The Zingaro Nature Reserve is a protected natural area located within the municipalities of Castellammare del Golfo and San Vito Lo Capo, in the province of Trapani. It is managed by the Regional Forestry Agency of the Sicilian Region (Azienda Regionale Foreste Demaniali).

Zingaro’s coastline is one of the very few stretches of Sicilian coast that remains untouched by the presence of a coastal road.

The area was inhabited by one last family of farmers until around 1960, in the house that today hosts the Museum of Traditional Weaving (Museo dell’Intreccio), which was renovated in 2013. At the time, locals used mules to transport goods and water. Today, mules are still the only viable means of transportation used for carrying waste and supplies within the reserve.

In 1976, work had already begun on building a coastal road between Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo. However, due to a series of environmentalist initiatives, culminating in a large protest march on May 18, 1980, the Regional Forestry Agency committed to expropriating the Zingaro area, which had been recognized for its exceptional environmental value.

Thanks to Regional Law 98/1981, the reserve was officially established as the first natural reserve in Sicily, and entrusted to the management of the Azienda Regionale Foreste Demaniali.