Page 1 - The_Egadi_Islands

https://www.thethinkingtraveller.com/italy/sicily/areas-of-sicily/islands-and-archipelagos

The Egadi Islands off the west coast of Sicily, Italy

Lying like so many partially submerged giant whales just a few
miles off the coast of Trapani (west Sicily), the three Egadi Islands
offer a great deal of charm and diversity.

With a permanent population of around 5,000 spread over the
three islands, the Egadis boast a long history and yet have somehow
remained largely unchanged over the years. It is still possible to find
isolated bays and coves, deserted mountain paths and a pace of life
which is extremely relaxing.

The historical high point of the islands, at least on an “global”
level, was 241 BCE when the First Punic War was brought to an end
here. Catulus defeated the Carthaginian fleet there and a treaty was
signed whereby Sicily was handed over to the Roman Empire.

However, the history goes back much further. On both
Favignana (the largest and most populated of the islands) and
Levanzo (the smallest) there are some Paleolithic and Neolithic cave
paintings. The most famous of these is the Grotta del Genovese on
Levanzo. Discovered only in 1949 these incisions and charcoal and
animal fat graffiti show scenes from daily life including fishing for
tuna, animal husbandry and even dancing.

Today, the archipelago is a flourishing, but as yet unspoilt
holiday destination. Each island has its own distinct characteristics
but all share a one important feature: the irresistible, crystalline
waters of the Egadi Islands Marine Reserve, one of the largest and
most various in Europe.

Favignana, or La Farfalla as it is often referred to thanks to its
butterfly shape, is the largest and most important of the islands. It
lies some 10 miles of the Trapani coast and is a popular holiday
destination in the summer months, largely thanks to the beauty of
its bays and coves, such as Cala Rossa.

The historical highpoint of the islands, at least on an
“international” level was 241BC when the First Punic War was
brought to an end here.

Levanzo is the smallest of the Egadis but no less inviting for
that. It is hilly, though the highest peak, Pizzo dei Monaco, only