Scauri – Springs, History and Coast

Scauri brings together several distinct interests: the Acque Calde San Gaetano hot springs, a late Roman settlement in the bay and a lava-rock coastline. There are also dive sites off Punta Tre Pietre and the Faro di Scauri. If you are looking for a hotel in Scauri, you can first consider whether you are more interested in archaeology, the springs or the coastal and underwater landscape. This allows you to shape your stay around the topics that appeal to you most.

Hot Springs and Ancient Pools

The Acque Calde San Gaetano springs reach temperatures of 40 to 50 °C due to secondary volcanism. Before reaching the sea, the water is collected in small pools built by people as far back as ancient times. Natural warmth and historic design come together here: the temperature is part of the springs’ geological profile, while the pools point to an early human intervention.

The path to the springs starts at the “La Vela” restaurant in Scauri. This specific starting point helps you locate the springs. Together with the pools, it offers a different way to experience the area from the archaeological traces in the bay or the underwater landscape off the coast.

Late Roman Settlement in the Bay

A late Roman settlement dating to the 5th century AD lies in the Bay of Scauri. The village made use of the bay’s natural terraces; some walls were carved directly out of the lava rock. Both the location and the construction are integral to the description of the site: the bay’s terraces and the worked lava rock offer concrete clues to how the village was laid out.

The village was also associated with the local production and sale of “Pantellerian Ware” pottery. This aspect adds craftsmanship and trade to the settlement’s architectural features. The settlement can thus be understood not only through its age or walls, but also through a product whose production and sale were connected with the village.

Lava Rock, Harbor and Underwater World

Lava rock lines the shore near Punta Tre Pietre and the Faro di Scauri, where the water quickly gets deep. This makes the coastal landscape quite different from the hot springs: here, the rock along the shore and the rapidly increasing depth shape the impression. For travelers interested in Scauri’s geology, features on land and at sea can be seen side by side.

When diving from a boat off Punta Tre Pietre and the Faro di Scauri, you may see moray eels, corals, Sferococchi and Axinella colonies. At Porto di Scauri, a drift dive from a boat crosses a sandy underwater area and follows a rock wall down to a depth of about 40 m. The description of this dive therefore includes both the seabed and rock wall, as well as the approximate depth.

Porto di Scauri is sheltered from the Levante, Tramontana and Maestrale winds. Near the harbor entrance, a medium-sized shipwreck also lies on sandy bottom at a depth of 6 to 10 m. It sank around the end of the 5th century AD and adds a find beneath the sea to Scauri’s archaeological traces. The harbor, coast and underwater sites thus represent different aspects of Scauri’s maritime character.

Viewpoint on Kúddia di Scauri

In the upper section of Kúddia di Scauri, just before the summit, there is a viewpoint for panoramic photography and watching the sunset. The trail leading up to it is currently unsafe. Take this caution into account before adding the viewpoint to your plans.

Discover more destinations: Pizzolungo, Xitta, Mazara Del Vallo, Buseto Superiore, Favignana, Petrosino, Salaparuta and Levanzo.

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