Tyrrhenian Coast - Sicily - page 251

COASTAL RESORT VILLAGES
The 83km stretch of coastline between Cefalù and Capo d'Orlando to the east is dotted
with little coves, relatively clean beaches and family-friendly resort villages. Beyond Capo
d'Orlando the coast becomes more developed and industrialised the closer you get to Mil-
azzo, the main point of departure for the Aeolian Islands.
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Castel di Tusa
Named after the castle that now lies in ruins 600m above it, this small coastal resort about
25km east of Cefalù is best known for the controversial Fiumara d'Arte , an open-air sculpture
park featuring a collection of contemporary artworks scattered along the fiumara (riverbed)
of the Tusa River. The most recent, and most impressive, installation is the Piramide 38° Paral-
lelo , a gleaming rust-coloured steel pyramid high on a hilltop above the sea, unveiled in
March 2010 and now a regular gathering point for solstice celebrations.
From Castel di Tusa's beach, a small road leads inland to the parent village of Tusa.
Between the coastal resort and the village, about 3km up from the coast, you'll see a sign-
post for Halaesa ( 0921 33 45 31; 9am-1hr before sunset) , a Greek city founded in the
5th century BC. Beautifully positioned on a hill, and accessed through a small olive grove,
it commands fine views of the surrounding countryside and - on a clear day - the Aeolian
Islands. The most conspicuous ruins are those of its agora and its massive, rusticated walls.
Downhill, at the entrance to the site, are the remains of a Colombarium, a 2nd-century Ro-
man necropolis with some well-preserved stonework.
Castel di Tusa is serviced by trains from Milazzo (€7.25, 1½ to 1¾ hours, eight daily)
and Palermo (€6.35, 1¼ to 1½ hours, eight daily). The station is at Tusa.
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Sant'Agata di Militello
This popular resort town grew up around the Torre della Marina, a coastal watchtower erec-
ted in the 13th century. In summer it's usually crammed with Italians eager to make the