Cala Tonnarella dell'Uzzo

Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo lies at the northern end of the Zingaro Nature Reserve’s limestone coast. Its pebble shore is the final cove on the reserve’s coastal sequence from Cala Mazzo di Sciacca, surrounded by the cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation that define this protected landscape.

Why it matters

The cove marks the northern end of a chain of bays within the Zingaro Reserve. Behind it, limestone rises toward Monte Speziale, and the reserve encompasses about 1,650 hectares of coastal and inland terrain. The protected area connects a varied shoreline with the habitats of the surrounding peninsula.

What to notice

At the water’s edge, pebbles and rock replace the fine sand found at the nearby town beach. The reserve describes clear water, marine life and underwater caves along this coast. Inland, paths cross Mediterranean scrub and lead past traces of prehistoric settlement. The Torre dell’Uzzo, an old watchtower, stands by a neighbouring cove.

Context and history

The Zingaro was established under Sicilian regional law in 1981, following a campaign to prevent a coastal road from being built through the area. Road works had begun in 1976; on 18 May 1980, about three thousand people joined a peaceful march through the territory. The reserve’s creation protected this coastline and its landscapes, including Tonnarella dell’Uzzo.