Isab - Erg: Salt Flats and Industrial History

Isab - Erg can be explored through a range of different themes: nearby, the Saline di Priolo is a wetland with rich birdlife, while the history of the ISAB facilities offers a distinct perspective on industrial development. The municipality of Melilli also encompasses protected areas, architectural history and a local culinary tradition. When planning your trip, it helps to keep these themes separate and then decide which ones you would like to explore further.

Saline di Priolo: Wetland and Birdlife

The Saline di Priolo Nature Reserve preserves the last remaining part of a larger wetland that once stretched along the coast between Priolo and Marina di Melilli. A total of 245 bird species have been observed in the salt flats; 80 percent of them are migratory, either wholly or in part. More than half of the bird species observed in Sicily, as well as about 40 percent of those recorded in Italy to date, have also been found in the Saline di Priolo and on the Magnisi Peninsula. These percentages refer to different areas as a whole: Sicily and Italy.

From Syracuse, take the SP 55 to reach the salt flats. Follow the signs for Saline di Priolo, the Magnisi Peninsula and Thapsos, then continue along the coast to the entrance to the reserve. Guided visits must be booked at least one week in advance; groups are limited to a maximum of 20 people. Check the booking conditions before your trip.

The Industrial History of the ISAB Facilities

ISAB’s Southern facilities were established in 1972 under the original name ISAB, short for Industria Siciliana Asfalti e Bitumi, and began operations in 1975. The Northern facilities date back to the mid-1950s: they were established under the name SINCAT (Società Industriale Catanese) and began operations around 1960. In 2002, the ERG Group acquired the Northern facilities and the tank farm. Together with the Southern facilities, they formed the refinery complex known as ERG Raffinerie Mediterranee.

Another milestone was the establishment of ISAB Energy in 1993 by ERG and Edison Mission Energy. Its purpose was to build an IGCC plant for gasifying refinery residues and generating combined heat and power. The company’s official history describes it as Europe’s first plant to use this process.

Nature and Architectural History in the Municipality of Melilli

The Grotta Palombara is a fully protected nature reserve in the municipality of Melilli. Established in 1998, it extends for about 800 metres. Also located there is the Pirrera Sant’Antonio, a quarry with a maximum height of 27 metres and an average height of 20 metres. It has been used to extract limestone blocks since 1450. The stone was used for the Torre and Castello di Melilli and, after the 1693 earthquake, to build houses and churches.

The religious buildings also reflect different periods of construction: the Basilica di San Sebastiano was built in the second half of the 18th century. The Chiesa Madre, dedicated to San Nicolò, was rebuilt in the 18th century on the remains of an existing 13th-century church. The archaeological site of Megara Hyblaea is also near Melilli; it was the site of an ancient Greek polis founded in 729 BC.

Marina di Melilli and Cudduruni

Marina di Melilli was a fishing village on the Gulf of Targia, opposite the Thapsos Peninsula; the village was razed to the ground. Another facet of the region’s food culture is Cudduruni a miliddisa. This homemade focaccia, made with durum wheat semolina, is topped with anchovies in oil, onions, oregano and sun-dried tomatoes; local Caciocavallo cheese is sometimes added. Cudduruni originated as a rustic focaccia that farmers prepared for special occasions.

Discover more destinations: Sortino, Agnone, San Corrado Di Fuori, Villa Vela, San Lorenzo, Rosolini, Granelli, Ferla

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