Terrasini and environments

The wonderful Terrasini, the small pearl on the coast of Castellammare Gulf, is a very popular touristic destination. It is the stop of numerous Sunday trips and the place of summer holidays. First of all there is the sea: exclusive shapes, fashionable beaches, particular caves and enchanting performances of lights, colours and shadows.

Its Latin name is "Terra Sinus" the land of the gulf, and according to  another interpretation "Terra Sinorum" the land of the bays, just for its intended coast. The big village, probably belonging to the late Middle Age, was founded by people from Carini, the La Grua Talamanca and other important Sicilian families, who gave life to the town.

In the 16th centuty the first colony of fishermen settled, attracted by the richness of the nature and specially various springs of fresh water; later on the lands of ancient feudal domination were given in enphyteusis to several farmers, soon developed a flowrishing agriculture and Terrasini became also a trading market for soils production.  

Terrasini is characterized by very small houses built by walls, facing on straight and parallel street, which go down from the mountain to the sea which is the attraction of this town: low coast interrupted by rocks, enchanting caves and coast paths, which offer a greeny view, where the holy silence is interrupted by the breaking of the waves and the mumbles of the seagulls. The caves have got inside underneath bays full of light and colour effects. You should not miss a visit to the Perciata cave and the so called Cala Rossa, redded by oxide iron.

The town offers many beautiful surprises if you walk through it taking time. Following the narrow streets you reach the main square, the heart of the town: in summer-time life is centered here with all the bars around where you can taste exquisite sweets, ice cream and crushed ice-drinks of thousand flavours.

Worth of particular attention is the D'Aumale Palace from the XIX century, a very ancient enologic building of Henry D'Orleans which faces the seaside of the town. In here are located three sections of the Civic Museum and its library. The route continues with the Sicilian Cart Museum which has got a vast collection of Sicilian Carts and with the Antiquarium, where you can admire many important archeological fragments: swords, vases and parts of Roman and Punic ships.

Terrasini also has its festivities and traditions. Unique in its specificity is the "Feast of the singles" symbol of life and fertility. The event has got pagan origin, from the mysteries of Demetra cult, goddess of the Earth, "the Great Mother". Nowadays sacred abd profane rites are mixed. Young single men "gli shietti" compete to conquer the heart of the "beauty" tryung to lift a bitter orange tree of about 50 kilos by one hand. The tree, traditionally decorated with coloured ribbons and bells is put in front of the house of the beauty that hopefully will become the spouse. This feast is celebrated every year on Easter Sunday.

A fashinating tradition is the "night of the first of september". At midnight, at the sound of the cathedral bells, all over the town candles are lit at the windows and balconies to remind the terrible earthquake that stroke Palermo in 1726. Thanking God for the rescue people sing the "Te Deum".

In Terrasini you can find many occasions of amusements such as the boat-trips with expert guides who accompany tourists through the narrow pahes to the sea or along the clear and fresh springs or in the coloured and lightened caves.

Come to Terrasini and enjoy your holiday!