saltmines near Marsala

Marsala

This is an ancient Phoenician city in the province of Trapani. The name, however, comes from the Arabic: "marsa", that is, the port of Allah. Subsequently, it became a Roman base called Lilibeo and today occupies an important, fundamental strategic position at the extreme western end of Sicily. During the Second World War, it was partly destroyed by bombardment. Having been honoured with a gold medal for civil accomplishments in 1961, Marsala is today an agricultural, commercial and industrial centre of the highest standing. It is the richest and busiest city in Sicily thanks to the wine industry, producing vintage wines amongst which is the classical "Marsala", to the agriculture, also with some greenhouse production, and to the co-operation of various other sectors of production. There are 35 kilometres (22 miles) of coastline and, particularly in the Stagnone, it is possible to catch rare and high quality fish which can be tasted in the restaurants and trattorias of the whole area.

a typical building