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MARSALA BETWEEN HISTORY AND ARCHEOLOGY

The town of historic cellars and Marsala, an inimitable meditation wine

Marsala proudly carries its history and culture. The city owes its name to the Arabs who baptized it Mars-Allah (port of Allah) and is known to all as the city where Garibaldi's thousand men in red shirts landed in 1860; the landing was the first step towards the unity of Italy.


Another characteristic of Marsala, which has made it famous all over the world is Marsala wine, a sweet liqueur, which must absolutely be tasted and bought as a souvenir of your trip to Sicily. The historic wineries where some of the most prestigious labels on the island are based.


Moving towards the heart of Marsala means reaching an old town centre closed to traffic, therefore perfect for long walks even with children. Do not miss the splendid Baroque Cathedral dedicated to St.Thomas of Canterbury behind which you can find the archaeological museum which houses an original Punic ship. We challenge you not to be enchanted by Mozia, an ancient Phoenician island, an extraordinary open-air archaeological museum, where nature and history smile together in a timeless atmosphere.


WALKING AROUND WINE CELLARS AND WINDMILLS

Marsala is also famous for the homonymous, excellent, dessert and "meditation" wine that can be tasted in the numerous cellars (Florio and Donnafugata are the most prestigious) and wine bars, many of which are housed in old renovated estates with courtyards (baglio) that belonged to great landowners of the past.


The best time for a walk in the Lagoon Reserve is in the afternoon, just before sunset with its Windmills, its soft waves gently chasing each other, the scents of the island and the colours of the sunset that can be compared to those of a painter's palette. This is the landscape that will leave you awestruck. In certain periods of the year, the reserve is visited by herons, wild ducks and black winged stilts for nesting.


To conclude your tour of Marsala, we suggest you stop at the Salt Museum to discover how salt is extracted from the sea, how it is transformed and used by the food industry. The museum is located inside an ancient windmill. With a little luck you may also spot pink flamingos, motionless in their characteristic, elegant pose.