The ancient fishing village of San Vito is located on the promontory that closes the Gulf of Castellammare, between the Zingaro Oriented Nature Reserve and that of Mount Cofano. It spreads along the coast, and its ultra-white beach makes it a popular destination for anyone in the area every summer. San Vito Lo Capo rose around the 13th century as an outpost of Erice. The present village began to form in the 18th century around an ancient shrine, dedicated to St. Vitus the Martyr, patron saint of the town. It was originally a Saracen fortress that later changed use and was named after the saint from whom the town takes its name. It retained, however, the appearance of a fortress to defend pilgrims who asked for hospitality inside. On the provincial road that led from the ancient Val di Mazara to the shrine stands the Chapel of St. Crescenza: a small chapel, in elegant Arab style, that was intended to protect the people and its shrine from pirate raids. In the center of the town, near the Sanctuary, is the Museo del Mare (Sea Museum) where objects testifying to ancient fishing-related activities are on display. In fact, in San Vito Lo Capo, until the mid-20th century, the Tonnara del Secco was in operation for the fishing and processing of Mediterranean bluefin tuna. Many are the ancient watchtowers placed to defend the coast and still visible: among them are the Mpisu tower, the Sceri tower, and the Torrazzo. The area is rich in caves, which preserve rock paintings and engravings: the Grotta dei Cavalli in Cala Mancina, the Grotta dei Ciaraveddi and the Grotta del Racchio, near the town of Macari. A typical dish is the fish couscous to which every year in September is dedicated the Cous Cous Fest, International Cous Cous Festival.