Posted on 04/24/2015
On the westernmost point of Sicily, in a land that saw domination by one foreign power after another for centuries, stands the city of Marsala.
Its strategic position, mild climate and numerous beautiful sites of artistic, historical and scenic interest mean Marsala has always been an attraction for tourists.
If you are thinking of spending a weekend or a short break in Marsala, we recommend 3 attractions that you should absolutely not miss:
1) The Historic Florio Winery
Marsala has a long-established and inextricable link with wine, and it is here that thehistoric Florio Winery (https://www.duca.it/en/ospitalita/) is located, a magical place where tradition and innovation combine in a way that is unique and fascinating.
The Winery was established in far-off 1833 by Vincenzo Florio, who was the first Italian entrepreneur to be passionate about the production of marsala wine.
Today, the Florio Winery is a highly successful tourist attraction, the setting for unique events and remarkable artistic encounters. Every year, thousands of tourists take an unforgettable guided tour through its majestic lancet-arched cellars. The tour begins with eight gigantic vats, made at the end of the 19th century and still used for ageing marsala, and continues through different rooms and numerous aspects of historical interest to the actual Cellar, where about 5.500.000 litres of marsala are kept in silence and peaceful stillness.
The guided tour then proceeds to the Donna Franca Florio Tasting Room. In this innovative space, everything has been designed to lead the guest through a fascinating experience involving all the senses amid the colours and scents of Florio wines.
The tour ends in the Enoteca Florio, a state of the art concept wineshop, and the splendid Florio Terrace overlooking the sea. The Florio Terrace is the perfect place to enjoy Duca di Salaparuta, Corvo and Florio wines while taking in the enchanting views of the Mediterranean.
If you also want to enjoy a unique experience at the Florio Winery, click here: https://www.duca.it/en/florio/ospitalita/
2) Mozia (Mothia) Island
Another must-see if you are in the Marsala area is undoubtedly Mozia Island, situated in the Stagnone Lagoon, an area of great naturalistic interest.
Founded in VIII B.C., Mozia (now San Pantaleo) was an ancient and prosperous Phoenician colony, a trading post and strategic port of call for ships sailing the Mediterranean Sea.
Located a little more than 6km from the centre of Marsala, it is easily reached in 10 minutes by one of the little boats provide a ferry service to the island. The ruins of the old city and numerous archaeological artefacts make Mothia Island a must if you are in the vicinity of Marsala.
For more information on how to organize your trip to the Island, click here:http://www.marsalaturismo.com/index.php?mn=1:46:0:0.
3) The Salt Flats
Along the road that leads from Trapani to Marsala, you will no doubt have noticed dazzling white mountains, or long mounds of the same snowy colour laid out with almost geometrical precision, shimmering in the Sicilian sun – they are the salt flats.
The salt flats were also introduced to the Trapani and Marsala area by the Phoenicians. Having noted the extremely favourable conditions for salt production (using the ancient water evaporation process), they decided to channel seawater into ponds where it evaporated, and the resulting salt was harvested and then exported throughout the Mediterranean basin.
Despite their ancient origins, the salt flats are still being worked using traditional methods.
Don’t miss the chance to stop for a moment to enjoy how the setting sun colours the white mounds of salt and the shallow waters of the lagoon a brilliant orange before disappearing behind the windmills dotting this unforgettable landscape… Perhaps accompanied by a glass of good wine!