Posted on 08/11/2014
Not just nature – Florio Winery and Bike4fun have also designed a cycle route that is a perfect mix of history, art and culture. The numerous civilizations that once inhabited ancient Lilybeo gave Marsala an important place in Italian history and art. Starting from the historic Florio Winery, the route will lead you through the most significant stages of this history, up to the site where Garibaldi’s 1,000 landed in May 1860. You will ride along the seafront as far as Capo Boeo to tour the Baglio Anselmi Archaeological Museum, where you can see the world’s only existing example of a Punic ship. You can then enter the oldest part of Marsala through the city’s 3 gateways, Porta Nuova, Porta Garibaldi and Porta Mazara. Here the monumental San Pietro complex houses the Garibaldi Museum and the Museo dei Pupi (Marionette Museum), which can be visited before continuing the bike ride along the ancient Via XI Maggio road, more commonly known as the “Cassaro”, where you can enjoy the sight of timeless places. Colors and architectural styles, each different to the other and each the inheritance of a foreign rule, and places of worship such as the splendid Mother Church overlooking Piazza Loggia, as well as other adjacent churches, some deconsecrated, but which still maintain their artistic patrimony intact. Old noble palazzos, now municipal offices, and Marsala’s historic fish market, which speaks of ancient trades and is cloaked in a mysterious charm, will be the incredible backdrop for the return journey to the Florio Winery. Once back in the winery baglio, or courtyard, you can take a guided tour through the stages that led the Florio family to become undisputed leaders of local early nineteenth century social, economic and business life, ending the tour with tastings of Florio wines, which will put the seal on this extraordinary experience with their intensely Mediterranean bouquets and flavours.
For more information:
HOSPITALITY OFFICE
Cantine Florio – Via Vincenzo Florio, 1
91025 Marsala (Trapani)
Tel : (+39) 0923 781 305/317
Switchboard Tel : (+39) 0923 781 111
www.duca.it