The Isole dello Stagnone di Marsala nature reserve is a protected natural area situated in the lagoon of the same name, in the comune of Marsala, set up in 1984 by the Sicilian Region.
What to see
The reserve extends along the west coast of Sicily, in the stretch of sea between Capo San Teodoro and Capo Boeo or Lilibeo, and includes the four islands of San Pantaleo (Mozia), Isola Grande, Schola and Santa Maria and the coastal salt pans of San Teodoro, Genna and Ettore Infersa. It takes its name from the «Stagnone», the largest lagoon in Sicily, with shallow water, from one to two metres and often only a few decimetres. Following the movement of sand due to underwater currents Isola Grande was formed around two original islets: its birth closed off a part of the sea that was originally open and here, without the currents needed for renewal, the water became stagnant, with a temperature above normal. In zone B lie the salt pans «Ettore e Infersa», of the Trapani firm Sosalt of the D'Alì family, with a restored windmill and the production of Trapani IGP sea salt, the Genna salt pan, in contrada Dammusello, and the San Teodoro salt pan.
The reserve's vegetation is characterised by xerophilous species adapted to the high degree of salinity, among them sea-blite, orache, glasswort and Halocnemum, sea lavender, ice plant, sea daffodil and sea holly.
Visiting
The reserve occupies the stretch of coast between Capo San Teodoro and Capo Boeo, in the territory of Marsala. The sources consulted give no access rules or hours: these should be checked with the managing body.
Our editors' tip
Among the species worth a mention are Calendula maritima, a rare endemic of this stretch of the coast of western Sicily, and Anemone palmata, which grows on sandy ground and is found in Italy only in western Sicily and Sardinia.
