Piles of blindingly white salt. Sea with very shallow waters agitated by the sirocco or mistral winds. A wild and untouched nature, that of Stagnone Reservewhich continues between the rocky spur of the San Teodoro Point And Cape Lilybee. However, it is enough to enter the historic center of Marsala because the scenery changes completely: tree-lined avenues, seafront with a view, alleys reminiscent of Arab medinas.
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Marsala: what to do on a weekend
The natural environment gives way to an elegant, sometimes sumptuous city, which casually displays traces of its past.
Punic, Roman, Arab, Spanish, Garibaldian, Marsala has a hundred souls and a hundred lives: noble and popular, stretched towards the sea but deeply linked to its earthly roots, suspended between oriental magic and western pragmatism. But it can also become a sought-after destination for new hospitabilities, exclusive hospitabilities and eco-sustainable initiatives.
In short, a city to be savored in small sips, as with its famous wine, and to be discovered from one of its most authentic and characteristic neighborhoods, Rakalia.
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Recharge your batteries in nature
Right here, just a few minutes from the city center, this year it opens its doors to curious and eco-responsible travelers. Rakalia pure lifea little one happy retirement harmoniously immersed in the nature and history of these places, with its simple and authentic architecture made of tuff, minimalist references, materials from the past combined with pieces of contemporary design.
The name comes from Arabic Rahla stop, a place to rest and the resort wants to offer the opportunity to stop and recharge your batteries.
For guests, the view from the terraces and the infinity pool is that of the Stagnone Islands, the vineyards and the Egadi Islands. And then, a series of dedicated experiences: yoga And meditation, cooking class, hiking, to go up, visits exclusive to local jewelry, such as Eric, Selinunte, Segesta And Trapania city of art with an ancient and essential taste.
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Sleeping in an Art Nouveau building
The discovery of the city also begins from La Courtyard of Fante, high-end guest house overlooking a garden of centuries-old cycads and housed in a building that tells the story of the golden years of Sicilian freedom.
Here too the emphasis is on refined and sustainable tourism: few rooms (only five), tailor-made services for the guests of the house, elegant and well-kept spaces. Everything to create a unique and welcoming atmosphere.
Visit museums, churches and period buildings
Marsala is a sum of civilizations and dominations, with memories of the Carthaginians and the Romans Baglio Anselmiwhich houses the Archaeological, Norman and Spanish Museum in the fortifications of Castlein the forms of Mother Church and of Church of AddolorataIn the Museum of Flemish Tapestries to the elegance of 18th century palaces (one for all) Fici Palacerecently become a wine museum) and the epic of the Risorgimento told in the rooms of the San Pietro Complex.
But the modern and the contemporary also find their place in the city: a Grignani Palacefor example, where canvases and installations of Municipal Art Gallery they bear the signature of Pomodoro and Cassinari, Sassu and Accardi, Sironi and Bueno.
Stop at La Saline
In Marsala, salt becomes an attraction because in the Salt marshesa labyrinth of reservoirs and canals overlooking the Stagnone lagoon, cultivation and harvesting are carried out as in the time of the Phoenicians.
We thus follow the banks of the evaporation basins dotted with windmills which, as they did centuries ago, drain sea water from one basin to another or crush the blocks of salt collected.
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See the Stagnone reserve, Mozia and its museum
And it is in the waters of the Stagnone that it is reflected Mozia with its Punic memories: on the island, in fact, the Whitaker Museum collects precious kits, refined and expensive jewelry status symbol like the beautiful statue of the Young Man in a Tunic that, centuries ago, adorned the homes of Mozie's VIPs.
The Stagnone also attracts visitors for its sunsets: over the mamans caure, the last evaporation basins from which salt is recovered, the sun plunges into the sea with never the same spectacle.
The Theatre at the Sea
With a view of these fiery sunsets, we find ourselves at Theatre at the seathe only one in the world that is completely environmentally friendly. In fact, it is made of tuff blocks (without the use of mortars or other binders), salt (the walking surface) and wood (the seats).
Here, among the magical atmospheres of Saline Genna They alternate, from July to the beginning of September, with concerts and shows (info: carlopellegrino.it).
“The Teatro a Mare has another peculiarity,” explains Giacomo Frazzitta, creator of the project. “Thanks to a clever play of opening and closing the evaporation basins, in winter the structure is submerged by the waters of the salt marsh, to reappear in summer. In ScurataThis is the name of the series of shows that take place at sunset. It is in this context that before the artists' performance, the spectators are involved in emotional tastings of the wines of Cantine Pellegrino, the main sponsor of the event.
A dip in the sea
Even this area of Sicily protected by some Reserves and Oases (Stagnone, Saline di Trapani, Monte Cofano) offers an unforgettable sea, always different because it is in the nature of the island.
The sea comes in all shades of blue and green, but can also become the color of wine, as the writer Leonardo Sciascia reminded us.
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On these waters, on the horizon, the Egadi Islands seem to float, promising unforgettable swims and dives. But even staying on the mainland, the coast alternates between spacious and urban beaches (that of Signorino and Marausa for example, but also that of Sibiliana, a surfer's paradise when the wind blows) with stretches of coastline full of coves and cliffs, especially towards San Vito Lo Capowhere they meet Cornino And Santa Margherita Bay. Everything to enjoy the time which, here, never seems to pass.
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