San Vito lo Capo occupies a northwest headland (the "head") of Sicily that separates the gulf of Castellammare from the coast of Trapani, close to the nature reserves of the Zingaro to the west and Mt Cofano to the east. The home of a tuna fishery that has been inactive since the 17th century, this old seafaring town was already of great importance in Roman times - as demonstrated by the remains of fish tanks found near the San Vito tuna fishery - and conserves a decidedly Arab imprint; it is also the town of couscous, symbolising peace and integration between different peoples and cultures. Its turquoise-blue sea has repeatedly earned a European Blue Flag for the fine quality of the water and its white beach is considered one of the most beautiful on the peninsula. The town of San Vito developed in the vicinity of a sanctuary dedicated to the saint of Mazara, a Saracen fortress with an original nucleus dating from the 13th century; the first dwellings started to appear around this in the early 18th century. Also in Arab-Norman style is the temple of Santa Crescenza, the figure of which is linked to that of the town's patron saint. The sea around San Vito has produced archaeological finds now kept in the Museum of the Sea, mainly from the wreck of an Arab-Norman ship lying on the seabed opposite the lighthouse.

 

For Visitors: San Vito holds a couscous festival the third week of September.