Photos of Cyclopean Isles (Isole dei Ciclopi)
About Cyclopean Isles (Isole dei Ciclopi)
Cyclopean Isles (Isole dei Ciclopi) is a small group of black basalt sea stacks rising out of the Ionian Sea along the shoreline of Aci Trezza. The biggest is Isola Lachea, with two tall stacks called Faraglione Grande and Faraglione Piccolo and four smaller rocks curving away in an arc. They formed from some of the earliest underwater eruptions in the area, over half a million years ago. Local legend says they're the boulders the Cyclops Polyphemus hurled at Ulysses, which is where the name comes from. The promenade along Via Lungomare dei Ciclopi looks straight out at the stacks, giving you lots of space to experiment with compositions as you explore the shoreline. Down by the harbour, the dark columns of basalt along the pier make a great foreground to add to your compositions. Since the coast faces east, the sun comes up right behind the stacks, making sunrise the perfect time to aim to be here. A slow shutter speed lets you play around with smoothing out the water around the base of the stacks to add to the peaceful feeling sunrise gives to the whole area. The islands and the sea around them are protected as the Isole Ciclopi Marine Protected Area, but local boat tours can bring you quite close to the sea stacks while still respecting their fragile ecosystems. (Aci Trezza, Sicily, Italy)
Where to find Cyclopean Isles (Isole dei Ciclopi)
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