The city of Marsala came into being, under the name Lilybeo, when Dionysius of Syracuse destroyed the Punic island of Mothia, opposite the promontory of Marsala, in 397 BC. In the waters here opposite, Romans and Carthaginians fought for possession of Sicily and the Mediterranean.

And many are the traces left in the city by their passage….

Insula Romana

The Roman insula of Cape Lylibeo covers a rather large area, formerly bounded by two paved streets. It is a luxurious dwelling with an attached thermal facility. The frigidarium ( cold-water facility) and caldarium (hot-water section) are clearly visible.
Also of note is the mosaic flooring.

The insula is located in the vicinity of the ancient decumanus maximo, the main street of Roman times, which started from the promontory of Capo Boeo and ran along what is now Via XI Maggio. The entrance to the archaeological area today opens onto Piazza delle Vittoria (commonly referred to as Porta Nuova).

Baglio Anselmi Archaeological Museum

A wine-making establishment from the last century is now the site of the museum that houses archaeological finds unearthed during various excavation campaigns between Marsala and Mothia.
This is a sizeable collection of ceramics, amphorae, funerary furnishings, votive stelae, furnishings and jewelry, architectural elements and various types of objects.
A fine mosaic from the Roman insula is also preserved here.

The museum also boasts the presence of the Venus Callipigia and the Punic Ship.

La Venus Callipigia, recently found, despite lacking her limbs and head, immediately attracts the visitor’s attention to her soft, elegant form and drapery, which instead of covering her, enhances her nudity.

La Punic Ship is an important record of the ancient wars that Romans and Carthaginians fought in these waters. The wreck probably sank during the Battle of the Aegates that ended the First Punic War in 241 BC. The ship has been reconstructed inside the museum: the port side and the stern side are clearly visible. Along with the ship, part of the cargo was also recovered.

Added to all this is the small island of Mothia, which can be reached in a few minutes thanks to a special connection service: the island is extremely rich in archaeological finds and artifacts from Punic times.

Where: Lungomare Boeo – Marsala
Tel: 0923 953614
Hours: daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: €3 – reduced €2 – free for visitors under 18 and over 65