Area Naturale Marina Protetta Capo Rizzuto

The Marine Protected Area of Capo Rizzuto, established in 1991, covers an area of nearly 15.000 hectares and is the largest in Italy for width. Bordering on it eight headlands, including that of the Archaeological Park of Capo Colonna, with the only column of the temple of Hera Lacinia remained standing; the other end of the Park is located Punta Le Castella, with the Aragonese Castle. It is divided into two main areas: the "Zone of Integral Reserve" to that of "General Reserve". The importance of this Marine Reserve is its wealth of flora and fauna, white beaches and crystal clear waters. The waters are very low, except some rocky areas, rich in seagrass meadows. Among the fauna stand shellfish, groupers, red mullet and the colorful parrot fish.