The History

The historic village of Scopello in the region of Castellammare, derives its name from the Greek “skopelos” and Latin “scopulus” meaning rock, and is positioned above the ancient site of Cetaria (named on account of the abundance of Tuna fish in its seas). The Arabs changed the name to Usqubul. They rebuilt the tonnara, and at the same time destroyed Cetaria. In 1220 Federico 2nd granted the tonnara to the Martorana of Palermo, and so full of history the place passed from hand to hand up to the present day. Today the fishing of tuna no longer takes place, but everything remains unchanged, from the storerooms in the courtyard, the large house and the fully equipped boat houses.
Above Scopello, you will notice a tower, the Torre Bennistra, deriving its name from a family of landowners (the Bennisti or Vinnisti) who, in 1299, held property as far as Monte Erice. This tower completes the circle that includes the enclosed courtyard ( Casale Scupelli) and the tonnara. So it was with good reason that one of the village during its expansion after the Bourbons, chose to call their little lodging the Torre Bennistra, which has now become a Hotel Restaurant refurbished for an extremely comfortable stay.