Mazara del Vallo

The village is seated on the river mouth of Mazaro. It goes from the natural reserve of Capo Feto to the famous beach of Capo Granitola. Since the beginning Mazara was colonized by many populations: Cartaginesi, Romans, Arabians who were the first to call it “La Rocca”. Soon it became the most important point of strength of the western part of the island. The actual valley takes its name from Mazara because of the importance and the glory the village had on the neighborhood during the past. It was the meeting point in trading, agricultural and fishing business.

The urbanistic system of the village has been organized according with the Arabian taste and rules. With the Norman Conquest (1072) the new sovereign accepted the architectural previous style adapting to it. Following the Norman domination, Mazara was designed as Bishop city and sovereign city until 1531. Thanks to the initiative of his people, Mazara become the first important and bigger fishing harbor in Italy (nowadays the second one). Fishing activities are related to the deep-see fishing, the on board freezing fish process, the mollusk deep-frozen process.

During your tour in Mazara, you can’t miss a visit to the Cathedral, to the Clerical Seminary and Bishop Palace, and if you reach Piazza Plebiscito you will see the Arabic Cupola of Carmine and Saint Egidio Churches.

Still in Piazza Plebiscito, you need to visit our most famous citizen “Il Satiro Danzante” in his Museum.