In this article you will find out what to see in Granitola Torretta. The town has as many as 131 inhabitants and is located near Mazzara del Vallo. The center only came into existence around 1850 and was named after the two towers protecting the coast. Here apart from a few small houses, a small bay, vineyards and cultivated fields, there is not much. But the beauty of this place lies precisely in its uniqueness.
The town overlooks the sea and at the same time with its gardens, vineyards and ornamental trees it is well integrated into the surrounding nature, which makes it even more fascinating. If you are looking for a warm and quiet place, where to go to the beach and eat well, Granitola Torretta is definitely the right place. For sports lovers, there is also a surf, windsurf, kitesurf, sup and sailing school. Now let’s find out what to see in Granitola Torretta.
1. The beaches
Right near the town there are two very nice little beaches. Not far away, however, is the “Saracen’s Landing” beach commemorating the Arab invasions. Stone was once quarried here, and traces of the work done are still clearly visible today. Don’t forget to bring swimming shoes and a mask, this is a great place to snorkel.
The most spacious, quiet and totally immersed in nature (there are not even beaches) is instead that of Kartibubbo, which is located next to the Capo Granitola lighthouse.
2. Capo Granitola lighthouse
The lighthouse was built in 1862 and is still in operation today and is certainly one of the things to see in Granitola Torretta. It is not possible to enter or get too close, but it is still very fascinating. Right in front there is a beautiful cliff where you can sunbathe and swim, waiting for the sunset which is very suggestive here. Bring sea shoes and masks with you, many beautiful fish hide among the rocks. On the east side of the lighthouse there is a long beach, quite quiet and wild, with fine golden sand.
3. Torre Sorello and Torreta di Mazara
Torre Sorello is an ancient 15th century watchtower overlooking the sea, once in search of enemies. Its presence makes this stretch of Granitola Torretta very suggestive, unfortunately, however, it cannot yet be visited inside. Torretta di Mazara, on the other hand, is located inside the town and cannot be visited either, but it is still worth a quick visit from the outside for history lovers.
4. Lake Preola and Gorghi Tondi nature reserve and winery
The Lago Preola and Gorghi Tondi nature reserve was established in 1998 and consists of 3 small lakes surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and vineyards. A very beautiful place suitable for nature and animal lovers. To visit the place, follow the directions on the interactive map below. Leave the car in a small “clearing” on the edge of the road and then proceed on foot along the “nature” path which is a few meters away and goes around one of the 3 lakes.
Many of the vineyards that you can admire in the area belong to the “Tenuta Gorghi Tondi” winery, which produces excellent organic wine, in full respect of the surrounding environment. If you are interested in a view of the company and to try good wine, you can contact them at +39 0923 719741. The visits are carried out both in Italian and in English.
5. Quarries of Cusa
Hidden among expanses of olive groves are the Cusa quarries, so called because of the name of the owner of the land in which they are located. Right here the ancient Greeks extracted the tuff stone blocks for the construction of the nearby Temple G of Selinunte, which was never completed.
In fact, the Carthaginians suddenly attacked the city, reducing it to rubble and this attack also took the quarry workers off guard. In the confusion and general panic, the extraction works were then suddenly interrupted and the blocks already extracted were abandoned along the way. Today you will be able to admire these huge blocks of stone exactly where the Greeks left them before fleeing.
Think that the quarries have been used for more than 150 years, starting from the first half of the sixth century. BC and about 150 people worked there. Once the blocks were extracted, they were then transported by carts pulled by slaves and oxen for 12 km, until reaching Selinunte.
After discovering what to see in Granitola Torretta, let’s see where to eat.
Where to eat in Granitola Torretta
In Torretta Granitola there are 3 restaurants, 2 bars and 1 bakery. It will therefore not be very difficult to make a decision. In any case, they are all, except one, in the main street in front of the bay, Via Duca Degli Abruzzi. The restaurant with the best view is La Conchiglia da Tano, which overlooks the sea.
Interactive map of Granitola Torretta – Points of interest in purple
What to see in the surroundings
Granitola Torre is part of the province of Trapani. Here you will find listed the places to visit in Trapani and surroundings
Typical dishes of the area
In these places the dishes that are the masters are based on fresh fish. Other typical dishes of the area are listed below:
Here you can find some tips on what to eat in Trapani and surroundings , here instead you find the typical Sicilian dishes.