Marzamemi: wonderful timeless village in the province of splendid Syracuse.

Talking about Sicily does not just mean indicating the best known beaches or the most hidden ones depending on taste; it doesn't just mean recommending the best restaurants or showing off its splendid nature reserves. Talking about Sicily cannot ignore telling its history, its evolution, its invasions, its dominations and everything that has made this wonderful island what it is today: an undisputed destination for hundreds of tourists worldwide.

We asked ourselves what could be the best way to convey to you a history as varied as that of Sicily, so full of colours and just as many nuances and the answer was almost immediate: the beating heart of Sicilian history lies precisely in its innumerable villages, many of which they remain suspended between past and present, between tradition and innovation, between nostalgia and the desire for change. Today in particular we want to tell you about Marzamemi.

Marzamemi is one of the most fascinating villages in Eastern Sicily, a few kilometres from Pachino and Noto, in the wonderful province of Syracuse. The village has always attracted the attention of directors, actors but also writers and playwrights of the calibre of Vitaliano Brancati: born in Pachino and writer of the famous Don Giovanni in Sicily, his red house stands in the famous "Isolotto Brancati" which it is visible from the small port “La Balata”, one of the two natural ports of Marzamemi together with “La Fossa”.

And speaking of ports and marinas, you certainly can't miss the wonderful beaches in the area with fine, golden sand and an almost Caribbean sea! Among many, in particular we suggest:

• San Lorenzo, with its light sand and the intense blue of the sea, on the border with the Vendicari Reserve;
• Calamosche, perhaps the most famous cove in the Vendicari Reserve, surrounded by two rocky headlands and ideal above all for snorkelling lovers;
• Morghella, a delightful seaside area between Portopalo di Capopassero and Pachino, one of the best-stocked beaches in the Syracuse area.

But what makes Marzamemi so irresistible? You are truly spoiled for choice! First of all, its tuna fishery which is known since Arab domination as one of the largest and most productive in Sicily for its abundant tuna fishing and its processing and preservation in salt and oil. Fishing is an integral part of the local culture. Near the tuna fishery it is possible to purchase preserves and highly renowned fish products such as bottarga and red tuna belly. Today the tuna fishery, the Villadorata Palace (once the owner's residence) and the adjacent warehouses have been recovered, thanks to careful renovation, and also reused as a location for Sicilian-style wedding events and banquets.

Naturally, among the various products, wine cannot go unmentioned. This is one of the areas of choice for the famous Nero d'Avola, one of the most famous Italian wines and certainly among the most famous on the island, before the Etna DOC overshadowed its fame. Last, but no less famous, the Pachino PGI tomato, in its cherry, plum and ribbed variants. A product that takes its name from the town of which Marzamemi is a hamlet, Pachino to be precise.

Having talked about tuna, wine, bottarga and tomatoes from Pachino, it seems almost a moral duty to recommend you some exquisite restaurants in the area where you can delight your palates with these and other delicacies:

• Cialoma: an excellent expression of the local culinary tradition, starting from the name which derives from the ancient song sung during tuna fishing. Managed with love and attention to detail, the menu often varies based on the catch of the day. Surely, there is no shortage of bluefin tuna in all its delicious facets;
• Nassa: delicious fish restaurant located in front of the Balata marina with a view of the Isolotto Brancati and Tuna Fishery. It is no coincidence that the name is the one used to indicate fishing nets;
• Campisi: Here you can not only taste the fresh local fish and be enchanted by the sea breeze, but you can also delight yourself with tomato-based dishes produced by the same family (in Pachino) from which the restaurant takes its name.

Furthermore, Marzamemi is made up of many low houses built with local sandstone facing the sea. The so-called "fishermen's houses", once accommodation for them, all develop around the Tuna Fishery and Piazza Regina Margherita. Walking through the village leaves you enchanted (it is not for nothing that they call it "The Enchanted Village"): studded, like many diamonds, with its countless narrow alleys, illuminated by the warm light of the sun and in the distance by the intense blue of the sea. You can breathe an air that smells of salt, of calm, of times gone by, an atmosphere of that ancient and important Sicilian profession, full of charm, which is fishing.

Marzamemi also offers an excellent starting point for visiting other wonders of south-eastern Sicily such as the beautiful beaches along the coast including Portopalo di Capopassero, and the wonderful beaches in the Vendicari Reserve. In addition to Syracuse and its archaeological park, there are many Baroque towns in the area such as Ragusa Ibla, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Scicli as well as the reserves of Pantalica and Cavagrande del Cassibile. Heading north, a one-hour drive will get you to Parco dell'Etna, Gole dell'Alcantara and Taormina. And after these countless walks and crossings, why not rent one of our splendid luxury villas with private pool in the province of Syracuse?

Corte Dorata: Splendid villa in the Val di Noto which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002. Equipped with a wonderful private swimming pool, a garden of about 10,000 square metres and a wellness area with sauna, turkish bath, Scottish shower and whirlpool tub.

Villa La Cava: Marvellous modern villa surrounded by 30 hectares of south-eastern Sicilian countryside. Predominantly characterised by the use of ancient pitch stone, the patio in front of the house will give you a breathtaking view of the Sicilian sea and the historic centre of Noto.

Pietra di Luna: Elegant residence built in 1825 and tastefully restored by its owners, it will give you the joy and quiet of true rural Sicily while from its splendid infinity peak you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the city of Scicli, a World Heritage Site 'UNESCO since 2002.

La Memoria dell'Acqua: Breathtaking villa a few kilometres from the baroque city of Scicli, in the splendid south-eastern Sicily. The dwelling will give you a choice on how to spend your holidays: you can enjoy its swimming pool right in front of the living area and its large windows or you can take advantage of the wonderful golden sandy beach, 8 km long and still hidden from tourism. of mass, a few tens of metres. Or you can visit the beautiful Baroque cities such as Noto or Modica.

Villa Nica: Villa with a strong and elegant character halfway between the Vendicari Nature Reserve and the tourist-seaside village of Marzamemi. You can cool off in the wonderful private salt-purified swimming pool or relax in the adjacent shaded patio with its comfortable sofas while a few steps away you can reach the famous beach of San Lorenzo, one of the most beautiful in south-eastern Sicily.