Scala dei Turchi, Natural limestone formation in Realmonte, Italy

Scala dei Turchi is a white marl cliff on the coast of Realmonte, in the province of Agrigento, Sicily. Its Trubi Formation rock, made of calcium carbonate and clay with planktonic foraminifera fossils, forms horizontal beds that rise from the water as a stepped, undulating ridge between two sandy beaches.

The cliffs were used in the 16th century as a landing point for Turkish pirates who launched raids into the Sicilian hinterland from here. The natural shape of the steps offered a sheltered approach to the land, while ships remained hidden in the coves below.

The name comes from Arab and Berber corsairs whom locals called "Turks"; the bay, sheltered from northern winds, served as a landing and boarding place for raids on inland villages. Writer Andrea Camilleri spent summers here as a boy and set a Montalbano story, La prima indagine di Montalbano (2004), on the cliff. The site has appeared in films and TV series including Malèna and Il commissario Montalbano.

Access is via paths leading down from the parking area, and the surface of the cliffs can become slippery when wet, so sturdy footwear is advisable. Morning hours and late afternoon are the best times to visit, when the sun heats the white rocks less intensely.

Erosion has created horizontal layers that run parallel and appear so pale in sunlight that they almost glow. The rocks consist of sediment layers deposited over millions of years, and show fine lines you can trace with your hands as you climb.