What to see in Mazara del Vallo

Thanks for sharing Antonio Martorella

Thanks for sharing Antonio Martorella

Thanks for sharing Antonio Martorella

Thanks for sharing Antonio Martorella

Thanks for sharing Marcello Ammirata

Thanks for sharing Francesco Lo Presti

What to see in Mazara del Vallo

Mazara del Vallo is the most striking example of the interlacing of civilizations that took place in Sicily between the European populations and those of Islamic and the North African region.

Situated in the western part of the island, Mazara has maintained its maritime vocation derived from ancient times through the centuries, becoming one of the most important fishing ports of the Mediterranean Sea.

In an ambient strongly permeated with Arab culture, hence the current urban structure, beautiful buildings stand in an elegant Baroque. Walking through the streets and squares of Mazara, you can re-live the harmony experienced among the people of different origins that have always distinguished this city.

The Cathedral

The Cathedral of Mazara del Vallo, situated on Republic Square, was built in Norman times by Count Roger and significantly renovated in the seventeenth century. The façade is in baroque-style, which distinguishes the high-relief placed over the seventeenth-century entrance, depicting the Count Roger with his horse dominating the Arab warrior Mokarta. The building was joined in the seventeenth century with a beautiful baroque bell tower.

The interior has three aisles, and is particularly bright: a fresco stands out of Christ Byzantine Pancreator and numerous stuccos on the aisles. But the most important work is the sumptuous sculptural group of six marble statues behind the altar, in which is represented the ascent of Christ into heaven. Lastly, of particular interest, are some examples of tombs from the Roman period.

Square Mokarta

Square Mokarta, scenic with the remains of the castle built by Count Roger from the nineteenth century is a meeting point where you can spend your evenings of Mazara del Vallo. From here it is usual to stroll along Corso Umberto, in which fine shops and bars follow each other, or to continue towards public garden Jolanda.

Piazza del Plebiscito

In Piazza del Plebiscito the Jesuit College can be found, built in the seventeenth century. Presenting itself with an imposing façade with an entrance, its accesses the central courtyard which is surrounded by arcades with arches. Today it houses the Multi-purpose Cultural Centre of Mazara del Vallo, consisting of the Civic Museum, Public Library, Museum of fishing activities and historical archives. In the same square is the Church of St. Giles, famous for housing the Museum of the satyr. It exhibits the statue found by some fishermen of Mazara in 1998, the famous Dancing Satyr, made of bronze and dating from the fourth century BC. It is pictured during a rough dance, typical of the Dionysian cult.

La Casbah

The casbah, known as the Tunisian district of Mazara del Vallo, it is the most obvious trace of urbanism of the Arabian period. Located in the north western part of the city, it includes the districts of St. Francis and the Giudecca. At one time, the area was surrounded by walls to form a quadrilateral, with Via del Bagno being the main artery. Wandering within these neighborhoods, made up of tiny alleys that intertwine with each other, inhabited mainly by the North African people, it will seem, in the eyes of the tourist, that you have already passed the Strait of Sicily.

The Church of St. Venerable

The Church of St. Venerable, is one of the most exciting examples that can be found in Mazara del Vallo. Place in the piazza which shares its names, it has a beautiful baroque façade with two bell towers at the sides, below which there is an abnormal wrought iron balcony. On the yellow ocher of the central prospectus the white marble statues and beautiful entrance stands out, harmoniously decorated. Inside, the simplicity of shapes reigns, embellished with a central marble altar.

The Church of San Nicolò Regale

The Church of San Nicolò Regale, near the port is a magnificent example of Arab-Norman architecture. Realized during the twelfth century, it has a small but charming structure, in which the outside highlights the battlements, while inside still lives a unique arabesque dome.

The Seminary Palace

The Seminary Palace, in Piazza della Repubblica, is a monumental neoclassical building, where, within the rooms of the ground floor has its seat The Diocesan Museumin which are exhibited the so-called treasure of Bishops; different and very precious sacred objects such as crucifixes, reliquaries, and monstrance.

Historical Background of Mazara del Vallo

Known since Phoenician times, Mazara del Vallo, it was tied to Selinunte by important trade routes as well as its strategical placement, but then moved into the hands of the Carthaginians in the fifth century BC. The Romans, who after the Second Punic War were awarded the possession of Sicily, made Mazara an important fortified center.

It was the first city conquered by the Arabs, who made it their headquarters for the conquest of Sicily. Mazara, located in the capital of the West territories (Sicily, was divided into three different districts, the Vals), experienced an unparalleled growth and development.

Much wider than in the past, it was massively fortified; it become the main port of Sicily, while fishing and agriculture met an exceptional increase in production, thanks to the techniques and fruits that came from the east (loquat, orange, pistachio, palm trees, sugar cane and much more).

The last Sicilian town to lay down arms against the Normans, Mazara del Vallo had the honor of hosting the first Sicilian parliament in 1097. It became an important religious center, but the following centuries were unable to mirror the splendors of the Arab period. Overshadowed by the importance of Palermo and Trapani, Mazara del Vallo experienced a slow but progressive decline.

Only in the nineteenth century, Mazara managed to regain momentum: the export of wines and the resumption of fishing, formed new fodder for the most Arab city of Sicily.

Mazara del Vallo by Night

Mazara del Vallo is quite a lively town in the evening with a beautiful promenade that is concentrated between Piazza Mokarta and Piazza Matteotti (linked from Corso Umberto I) and on the waterfront Giuseppe Mazzini.

Try some restaurants in the center, where the kitchen still retains Arab traditions. Couscous, a traditional dish of Tunisia, is now a staple of the local cuisine. However, a little bit of all the fish dishes are at least worth a taste: from seafood with shrimp, and not to mention swordfish and squid dishes served in different but always exquisite variations.

For the younger ones, in Mazara can be found elegant bars and discos where one can spend the weekend evenings and beyond. During the summer, parties are organized on the beautiful long beaches that the coast of Mazara del Vallo boasts of.

What to see in Mazara del Vallo

Historical Background of Mazara del Vallo

Mazara del Vallo by Night

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