The coastal landscapes that make up this collection of ‘Lighthouses of Sicily’ are printed reproductions of a series of paintings created by Elena Cutrona using oil on wood. The images are inspired by views of the Sicilian coastline dating back to the end of the 1800’s. The prints have been reproduced using a four-colour process and by using a traditional graphic procedure on Fabriano 280 gr. paper ‘rosapina, each one measuring 90X30 cm. The captions that are present on the border beneath the prints describe the lighthouses along the Sicilian coastline and include a topographical and Geographical key.

VULCANO
Legendary residence of Eolo, Vulcano is extremely interesting owing to it’s volcanic phenomena. From a geological point of view, Vulcano, as Stomboli, is the most recent island in the archipeliogo. The islet of Vulcanello which is connected by an isthmus to Vulcano, is also thought to be of recent geological formation, as already recorded by the historians around the beginning of the first century ad., who describe the startling spectacle of the island as it rose from the sea.
TRAPANI
Although exposed to the strong Scirocco and Mistral winds, Trapani is the safest port in Western Sicily. The popular Greek legend describes how Cerere, God of the corn, in a desperate attempt to save his daughter Prosperina, who had been snatched by Pluto, dropped his golden scythe here in this shimmering area of the sea. Perhaps because the headland which was originally made up of small islets and encloses the Port of Trapani still today, is in the shape of a scythe.
STROMBOLI
Of all the islands in the Aeolian archipelago, Stromboli is the furthermost east and is an active volcano. To the west of Punta Lena there is a strip of black sand where the small fishing hamlets of Fico Grande, S. Vincenzo, Piscità and S. Bartolomeo lie. Heading towards the south east a short distance away from the coast of Stromboli, the silhouette of Strombolicchio stands out, a cliff covered with peaks of up to 50 metres in height, with a lighthouse standing on it’s summit.
SIRACUSA
The city stands on the island of Ortigia where, on the extreme tip, is situated the fort Maniace, built by a Byzantine general and subsequently enlarged by Frederico II of Svevia. It is a powerfully imposing building standing to the right as the Port of Siracusa is approached. The estuaries of il Ciane and L’Anapo, which were extremely important waterways in the past, open into this extraordinarily bright bay, where papyrus still grows today.
SALINA
The island of Salina has volcanic origins, which may clearly be seen by the two craters of Monte Fossa delle Felci and Monte dei Porri. In the winter months, despite the low latitude, snow may occasionally be seen on both summits. Santa Marina, Malfa and Leni are the main residential areas of the island, but it is from Pollara that the most beautiful sunsets on the island may be admired. Salina is renowned for the cultivation of capers and for the production of a very sweet dessert wine called Malvasia.
PORTO EMPEDOCLE
A low lying limestone hill which descends to the sea dominates the port of call for this south westerly Sicilian town. In the past, produce from inland, such as grain from the large estates and sulphur from the mines, were loaded onto ships from this narrow strip of land. Although today it no longer holds importance as a port, it has established it’s notoriety as a place of historical and literary interest.
PORTO PALO
The fishing port and the small village of Porto Palo have developed around the old, no longer active tuna factory of Capo Passero On the summit of the hill known as Cozzo Spadaro, one of the most important lighthouses in Sicily is located. This , together with lighthouse at Capo Passaro, marks the extreme south westerly point of the country. The lighthouse, named after the island, was built on the ruins of a fort dating back to the period of CarloV, built to protect the island from raids by the Turks in the Mediterranean.
PANAREA
Panrea is a made up of a group of large rocks including Basiluzzo , Lisca Bianca, Dattilo, Bottaio and Lisca Nera plus the smaller Panarelli and Formiche. They are believed to be the remains of an extremely old volcano. It is the smallest and the most verdant of the Aeolian isalnds and has evidence of a population that lived here in far off times, proof of which lie in the remains of a prehistoric village situated in the area of Capo Milazzese, between the bays of Drautto and Cala Junco.
PALERMO
The port of Palermo extends along the Cala to the foot of Monte Pellegrino. Legend has it that in 1624 a vessel with a cargo destined for the viceroy, landed to the north of Molo Vecchio.and the arrival caused the outbreak of a terrible plague epidemic, which decimated the population of Palermo. It is claimed that it was only owing to the devotion of the people from Palermo towards their patron saint Santa Rosalia, who they worshipped in the sanctuary on Monte Pellegrino, that brought a miraculous end to the epidemic.
MILAZZO
The port of Milazzo, situated on the Tirreno coast, is the departure point for the Aeolian Islands. Il Santuario di S. Francesco di Paola, protector of seamen, with it’s decorative steps,. link the port and the new town with an area much further up called the Walled City. Situated on high ground, the town is surrounded by wide city walls which date back to the 15th century, in which Il Castello di Federtico II and the ruins of the Duomo Aragonese stand.
MESSINA
In 1908 an enormous wave rose from the straits of Messina and crossed the peninsula of S. Ranieri, covering the town and virtually destroying it entirely. Following this huge catastrophe, the town was rebuilt with the help of the combined forces of the entire country. Important works of fortification still remain with us as memories of those glorious days, such as il Forte S: Salvatore, La Torre di Punta San Ranieri on which the light house is situated, and the 15th Century Forte Gonzaga on the hill.
MARSALA
On the south western coast of Sicily, near Capo Boeo and directly facing the African coast, stands the Port of Marsala. Once known as Lilibeo, it is renowned for the important historical events that took place in this area. The town of Marsala owes it’s fame predominantly to a strong, sun drenched wine called Marsala, produced further inland, but named after the town.
LIPARI
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian islands. The small town extends along the east coast of the island, from the protected port of Pignataro, past the cove of Marina Lunga as far as Marina Corta. The headland behind the town , named il Castello is a natural fortress. A Norman cathedral dedicated to S. Bartolomeo stands upon the summit above the town. Owing to the strategic position Lipari holds, it has been inhabited since prehistoric times by ancient populations who exploited the mineral deposits found there.
ISOLA DELLE CORRENTI
Following the course of the canale di Sicilia which flows in the proximity of the Ionic coastline, you meet the isola delle correnti lying off the furthermost tip of Sicily . The island acts as a watershed between the two seas and is buffeted by the salty winds. A polygonal lighthouse stands here, and from this strategic position the lighthouses of Cozzo Spadaro and of Capo Passero may be seen.
FILICUDI
Filicudi has been inhabited since far off times, with archaeological remains bearing testament to this at Capo Graziano, it has a pleasant landscape despite it’s volcanic nature. The highest point is Fossa delle Felci where there are small settlements. upon the slopes, and Pecorini, a small, picturesque fishing village nestles on the southeast coast, between Punta Stimpagnaro and Capo Graziano.
FAVIGNANA
Gently warmed by the westerly wind, Favignana, with it’s distinctive butterfly shape, is the largest of the Egade Islands. The Fortress of Santa Caterina, which was built on the Montagna Grande during the reign of Frederico II, dominates the island from above, while the lighthouse at Punto Sottile, situated on the extreme west of the island, is considered to be among one of the most important in Sicily.
CATANIA
The oldest area of Catania lies by the sea, it developed around the port and goes by the name of Civita. One can observe upon approaching the port of Catania, the historic railway viaduct called gli archi della marina, built around 1860 clearly marking the boundary between the sea and the town , where higher up, the cupola of the Duomo and other Churches of Catania and houses belonging to the nobility are visible. To the west of the port the rotating beam of the light house Sciara Biscari may be clearly seen, it is named after the Prince, who had been granted this stretch of coastline
AUGUSTA
Augusta was founded by Frederico II who provided the town with an imposing castle, and from that moment on, the town played a strategic role. The fort Garsia and the fort Vittoria were built on the islet later on in order to defend the port, proof as to the fame of the military stronghold. The city lies on a peninsula stretching between the port Megarese and the port Xifonio, which has Greek origins. Going back up towards the north in the direction of punto Izzo, there is a rocky headland which protects the bay of Augusta from the north westerly winds, upon which towers the S. Croce lighthouse.
ALICUDI
In ancient times known as Ericusa, the name having been attributed to the heather that copiously covers it, Alicudi faces west. The remotest island in the Aeolian archipelago, it is cone shaped and immediately brings to mind it’s volcanic origins. It has a very sheer coastline, surrounded by rocks and dangerous shallows. The westerly slope is steep, craggy and uninhabited, whilst the easterly side is hilly and there are small groups of houses scattered among the farmed areas. The only beach accessible on foot is in the port of Alicudi.
ACITREZZA
A small fishing village that became a seaside resort not far from the city of Catania at the beginning of the last century, it is the "literary place" in which the Verist novel I Malavoglia by Giovanni Verga is set. The Lachea islet and the large rocks called "I Faraglioni" that are located at the mouth of the marina with their characteristic basaltic formations, are of great geological interest since they represent the first manifestations of Etna below the sea 500 million years ago. These places, known since ancient times, were narrated by Homer in The Odyssey. It is said that here the hero Ulysses fought against Polyphemus, who threw the large rocks, which we still admire today, in the vain attempt to kill him.
PUNTA SECCA
A small fishing village overlooking the Sicilian Channel, it is dominated by an imposing lighthouse built in the Bourbon era. This territory has been inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by the settlements that date back to the second century BC. In Greco-Roman times there were intense commercial relationships between the Sicilians and the Aegeans, so the ships that passed through found shelter and stocked up with water at the cliff called Braccio della Colombara in Punta Braccetto. In the XVI century on Braccio della Colombara, the Vigliena tower was built, where you could see both the tower of San Pietro and the Scalambri tower located in Punta Secca. Together they formed the lookout complex of Capo Scalambro, designed to block pirate raids.
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