The tuna fishing has very ancient origins. We have graphic testimonials by engravings and rock paintings which date back to prehistoric times.
The techniques of fishing and the tuna production, were refined over time until the Arabs, who spread the system of fixed networks divided into rooms.
The same structural diagram is to be found in the Tonnara of Vendicari, whose origin is precisely of Arab nature.
Of Arab origin are also the following terms: RAIS (head of the tonnara), MUCIARA (small working boat), MARFARAGGHIU (correct term to indicate the structure of fish processing and recovery tools).
The tonnara of Vendicari, also called Bafutu, i.e. in ancient times of Head Bojuto, was a return tonnara, i.e. a tonnara that caught tunas and mackerels returning to the open sea after the mating season.
In its best periods the tonnara could count up to 44 tonnaroti and 2 rais, together with about fifty small balconies that took care of the conversion of fish.
In 1655 Vendicari was purchased together width Marzamemi, Fiume di Noto and Santa Panagia by Simone Calascibetta, judge of the Royal Court of Palermo, became Baron with the acquisition of the tonnare. For the whole half of the 17th century the activity of the tonnare of eastern Sicily was monopolized by the Nicolaci’s family: their domain on tuna fishing made them rich and influential entrepreneurs up to recent times.
Conditioned by the near tonnare of Marzamemi and Pozzallo, more efficient and supported by better environmental contexts, the tonnara of Vendicari was subject to lent and closure periods in the second half of the 19th century. The activity flourished during the last century, registering an increase of fish caught. It was in this context that the noble of Avola Antonino Modica Munafò, already owner of the salt mines of Vendicari, was given the entire plant: he started a profound restoration of the rests of the old 18th century structure.
Tuna fishing of Vendicari stopped with the landing of the allies during the Second World War, even if the activity reduced in the previous years. Today, the crumbling ruins of the establishment, the pillars that supported the roof, the very high chimney and the anglers’ houses have been fully restored and returned to the community.
The tonnara has become one of the symbols of Vendicari, a structure of great charm that dominates the central area of the reserve.
Structure of the Tonnara
The tonnara consists of two parts:
Pedal: wall of nets far from the coast, extending up to a depth of 70 meters and a length that can reach 3 km. The aim of the “pedal” is to interrupt the course of tunas and convey them to “the island”, also known as the chamber of capture.
Island: sort of submarine building networks of dimensions that go from 200 to 400 meters in length and 50 meters wide in the walls of network, between the rooms there are openings called doors. On the different doors of the tonnara, staged the guard boats that pushed the tunas from one room to another until the chamber of capture, where the Rais started the “mattanze”.
Through a large iron gate, there was the access to the building of the tonnara, which included, in addition to a separate courtyard from Sveva Tower by a perimeter wall, the area for the processing of tuna, the warehouse and the homes of the “tonnaroti”. In the islet of Vendicari, just in front of the tonnara, there was the home of the Rais, wooden houses where he lived with his family and the homes of the owners, who had a masonry house for the seasonal periods of activity of the tonnara.
How to reach the Tonnara of Vendicari
To reach the Tonnara of Vendicari, it is necessary to access from the main entrance of the reserve. Along the wooden walkways through the cabanas of observation for birdwatching, you arrive at the beach of Vendicari: immediately on the right, you will notice the ancient tonnara with the anglers’ houses and the Sveva Tower.
