Marsala: archaeological, baroque and art nouveau.

The historic center – Entering from Porta Garibaldi, you will find on your right the fish market that fills with vendors and buyers every morning and the 16th-century Spanish Quarter, now the seat of the municipality. Instead, to the left is a small square enriched by the elegant facade of the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Further on, the street ends in the main square of Marsala’s historic center overlooked by Palazzo VII Aprile and the Mother Church. The latter, dedicated to St. Thomas of Canterbury, dominates the square with its 18th-century façade on two orders. Inside, remarkable sculptural works and paintings are preserved in the many side chapels.

Behind this is the Santa Cecilia auditorium, also noteworthy for the rich decorations on its Baroque facade.

Not far away is the St. Peter’s Complex, a 16th-century monastery now a cultural center that also houses, inside, the Civic Museum with the garibaldine section.

Very distinctive is the tiled dome, also visible from 11th May Street, the hub of modern city life and evening entertainment. If you find yourself there or in the continuation, Via Roma, look up from time to time: both are surrounded by sought-after and refined Art Nouveau buildings.

The Stagnone Lagoon – An enclosed and protected stretch of sea, declared a Nature Reserve, offers visitors a unique spectacle. Also located here is the small island of Mothia, the ancient vital core of the area. And a little further on you will find the salt ponds. Behind the windmills every evening the sun goes to sleep giving chilling landscapes.

Baglio Anselmi Archaeological Museum – A wine-making establishment from the last century is now home to the museum that holds archaeological finds unearthed during various excavation campaigns between Marsala and Mothia. This is a conspicuous collection of pottery, amphorae, funerary furnishings, votive stelae, furnishings and jewelry, architectural elements and various objects.
A beautiful mosaic from the Roman insula is also preserved here.

The museum also boasts the presence of the Venus Callipigia and the Punic Ship. The recently found Venus Callipigia, despite being missing 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.

The 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.

Where: Baglio Anselmi Archaeological Museum – Lungomare Boeo

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

3 € full ticket
2 € reduced

Free for under 18 and over 65 years old