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Marsala - view from the sea 
Marsala,
located on the extreme west side of Sicily, is considered a very interesting tourist area thanks to its wonderful beaches and archaeologic treasures.
Going to the northern side of the town, you find "lo Stagnone", a lagoon which is a natural bridge to the Egadis archipelago, which can be reached just in twenty minutes. The origins of Marsala merge with the history of Lylybaeum and trace back to the destruction of Mothya (397 BC) by Dionysius the Elder, the tyrant of Syracuse. The survivors, who took shelter in the nearby promontory (the present Capo Boeo), founded the town of Lylybaeum, which soon became a powerful Carthaginian base. In 241 BC, after the Punic wars, the Romans established control over the town. The "marvellous town" (according to Cicero's definition of Lylybaeum) became the seat of the quaestorship, the praetorship and a mint for bronze coins. Some still existing precious monuments, mosaics and villas are evidence of this prestigious period. Over the centuries, Lylybaeum was first invaded by Genseric's Vandals and later ruled by the Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese and Spanish. Some relics dating back to these different rulers are still visible all around the town. The present name "Marsala" derives from the Arabic Marsa Allah, i.e. God's Harbour, and traces back to the Arabic rule (ninth century). Marsala - sunset at the salt road 
In 1800, after many vicissitudes, the English discovered and exploited the "Marsala Wine", thus bringing about a socio-economic pacific revolution. Following the same trend, the Florios and other entrepreneurs living in Marsala enriched the town with new flourishing trading activities.On May 11, 1860, Garibaldi landed at Marsala and started the process of Unity of Italy from here.
The Saline in the "Stagnone" - The charming setting of the "Stagnone" lagoon, beyond Villa Genna, characterized by a series of saline, 'white mountains' covered with tiles and sided with windmills. The islands of Mothya, Isola Lunga, Santa Maria and Scola are reflected in the shallow waters of the lagoon. It is possible to reach this uncontaminated natural area, the ideal habitat of pink flamingos, herons and stilt-birds, by boat, canoe or windsurf. Here the different hues of the sea are blended with the blue of the sky, as far as the horizon, and the sunsets are particularly fascinating and striking. Saint Peter's Monumental Complex - Once a convent for Benedectine nuns, the complex was built in 1500. Today, after restoration works, it houses the archaeological, Risorgimento and popular tradition sections of the civic museum. It is also a multipurpose centre intended as a cultural and meeting point for young people. Its inner courtyard houses an arena for films, exhibitions, theatrical performances and concerts. Porta Garibaldi - Formerly known as 'Porta Mare', it is one of the gates to the old town centre. After landing at the harbour, on May 11th, 1860, Garibaldi got into Marsala through this gate. Its structure, dating back to 1684 and surmounted by an imperial eagle, follows the Roman triumphal arch. This majestic superb gate leads to the ancient Spanish quarter, now housing the fish market and the town hall. Marsala - The Cathedral 
The Cathedral - Built over the centuries, starting from 1176, the Cathedral overlooks Piazza della Repubblica. This church, which was damaged during World War II, was restored and partly rebuild between 1947 and 1954. Its facade is arranged in two orders: the lower one is manneristic-baroque; the upper one dates to a subsequent period. The church interior houses a lot of works by Gagini and a 'treasure' with a great deal of silver and gold objects. Devoted to Saint Thomas of Canterbury, the Cathedral is one of the most important legs of the 'religious route'.Archaeological Museum - It is housed in the so-called 'Baglio Anselmi, a former winery situated on the seafront. It preserves some finds coming from the archaeological excavations in Mothya and Lylybaeum and dating back to the period going from Pre-history to the Middle Ages. Among them it is worth mentioning the Punic ship, a fascinating liburna, found between the islands of Favignana and Isola Lunga in 1969 and brought to light by the English archaeologist Honor Frost. In the area of Porta Nuova, at the back of the museum, there are the Roman Insula, the mosaics and the Decumano Massimo. The Isle of Mothya - This island was an eight-century BC Phoenician colony. Today, it is possible to reach it by boats leaving from piers in the 'Stagnone' lagoon; in the past, people got there through a still visible submerged road, which was practicable with the low tide. Mothya belongs to the 'Whitaker Foundation' and preserves some precious archaeological finds, many of which are exhibited in the island museum. Particularly striking is the 'Young man wearing a tunic' a Ionic marble statue having human dimensions. Guided tours of the island lead to the 'tofet', the necropolis, the 'cothon' and the mosaics. The only inhabitants of Mothya are its wardens and boatmen, who can be considered as the witnesses of the passing of time. Fish Market - In Marsala there is a very beautiful and quaint open-air fish market, where is possible to buy very fresh fish for very cheap prices. |
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Just one hour from Marsala, are the most famous tourist places of Sicily, just as S.Vito lo Capo, Erice, Selinunte, Agrigento and Palermo.
| Ass.Bellasicily via G.A.Omodei, 28 91025 Marsala (TP) - ITALY Tel. ++39-347-8185433 Fax ++39-(0)923-716101 P.I. 02147430819 |