Cofano Mountain
Looming above the Tyrrhenian Sea on a promontory of the same name, Cofano Mountain exhibits an unmistakable pointed peak similar to that of Cervino. From the narrow peak with its remains of an old building, an extraordinary panorama can be admired, stretching between the gulfs of Corvino and Castelluzzo. Today the area is a natural reserve, retaining elements of scientific note and of remarkable charm. The first, the Grotta del Crocefisso (Cave of the Crucifix), can be found on the northern slopes of the mountain, and was the location of prehistoric finds. Also on the northern side, not far from the cave, there can be found the Torre del Crocefisso (Tower of the Crucifix.) This late 17th century building is an example of the architectural style of Camillo Camilliani, a leading architect of the time, evidenced in more than 20 Sicilian towers.
On the eastern side of the mountain, near the coast, there is a second tower, Torre della Calazza. This squat tower with four concave sides was built in the 15th century and is still well preserved.
The remains of a Roman inhabitation can also be found on Cofano Mountain. At the foot of the mountain along the coast is a large space cut into the rock. This was made in the Roman period for building a dock and some basins used for breeding fish for the production of "garum", a fish sauce popular among the Romans. A bit higher up on the mountain are the remains of a Roman villa. Nearby are some large basins cut out of the rock, perhaps the cisterns of the villa. There seem to be no evidence to locate here the city of Ereclea of Sicily, the Greek colony founded by Doreios in 510 B.C..
Also situated on Cofano is the Grotta di Scurati (Cave of Scurati), famous both for its prehistoric remains and for the primitive dwellings constructed in its interior. A noteworthy event at this site is the animated nativity scene which is reenacted here at Christmastime.
The marble quarries of the area are also of historical significance. For centuries, some of the most beautiful marble of Sicily has been extracted here and exported all over the world. Varieties such as "Rosso Santo Vito" and "Libeccio Antico" were used already in Roman times, and later were integral to the flourishing of "Barocchitto alla Trapanese", a local rendition of the Baroque style centred at Trapani whcih was characterized by the use of local marble in the production of objects that are polychrome and intricately ornate.
