Mazara del Vallo - Mazara del Vallo

Mazara del Vallo is a city of Sicily. in territory of Trapani

To know

The old historic center, once enclosed within the Norman walls, includes numerous monumental churches, some dating back to the 11th century. It has the typical features of the neighborhoods with an Islamic urban layout typical of the medinas, called Casbah (also Kasbah), of which the narrow streets are a sort of trademark.

Geographical notes

Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, at the mouth of the Màzaro river, it is less than 200 km from the Tunisian coasts of North Africa.

The territory of the municipality extends between the municipalities of Campobello di Mazara, Castelvetrano, Marsala, Petrosino and Salemi, in the province of Trapani.

The territory of Mazara is crossed by two rivers, the Mazaro and the Arena (also called Delia in its medial portion), the latter starting from Lake Trinità, an artificial lake created by the dam of the same name, located on the border with the territory of Castelvetrano.

When to go

The climate of Mazara is particularly pleasant in the Sicilian context. Winters are mild and the temperature does not usually drop below 9 ° C. Summers are generally characterized by a perpetual wind of the orographic type oriented from the north-west: it is an encounter wind that rises punctually at 11:00 to drop around 19:00. The climate is humid all year round even in the case of very high temperatures, often. The sirocco, wind from the south-east, brings an increase in the percentage of humidity, weighing down the air. In any case, the siroccal conditions do not generally last more than five days.The regular wind regime just described make Mazara del Vallo an ideal site for all sailing sports: the town is a destination for kite and wind surf enthusiasts from all over. the world, being included in the list of ideal locations for this discipline.

How to orient yourself

How to get

On boat

• Port of Mazara del Vallo. Ferries to Susa in Tunisia. 

How to get around

What see

Churches

• The Cathedral Basilica was built in Norman times, in place of a previous mosque at the behest of Roger I, following the creation of the diocese in 1093. It was completely rebuilt at the end of the 17th century in Baroque style, by Don Pietro Castro. Inside the statuary group representing the Transfiguration by Antonello Gagini is preserved.
• The Church of San Nicolò Regale from 1124 and the Church of the Madonna delle Giummare from the 11th century (also known as the Madonna dell'Alto), both clearly of Arab-Norman origin.
• The 12th century Church of San Michele, with an adjoining Benedictine convent, was rebuilt in the 17th century in Baroque style.
• The Church of Santa Caterina, dating back to 1318, was also remodeled in the Baroque period.
• The Church of San Francesco is an example of Sicilian Baroque, rich in polychromy and decorations.
• The Church of Sant'Ignazio, of which only the prospect remains, following the collapse in 1933 [8].

• 

  Entrance to the Cathedral from Piazza della Repubblica

• 

  Church of the Madonna delle Giummare

• 

  Church of San Nicolò Regale

• 

  Church of Santa Caterina

• 

  Church of Sant'Ignazio

• 

  Interior of the Church of Sant'Ignazio

Museums

• Mirabilia Urbis, an exhibition housed in the Church of San Bartolomeo, houses finds from all over the Mazara area, in particular from the archaeological site of Roccazzo.
• The Diocesan Museum, inaugurated in 1993 on the occasion of the ninth centenary of the foundation of the diocese, collects the rich silver heritage of the cathedral.
• The Ornithological Museum, inaugurated in 1984, with 366 naturalized birds, including numerous rare and several species now extinct [32].
• The Dancing Satyr Museum, housed in the Church of Sant'Egidio, built in 1424.

Events and parties

What to do

Shopping

How to have fun

Where to eat

Where stay

Safety

How to keep in touch

Around

• Nature reserve oriented "Stagnone of Marsala Islands" - The reserve includes the islands just north of Marsala including the Punic archaeological site of Motya and the adjoining salt flats.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Mazara del Vallo
• Commons contains images or other files on Mazara del Vallo
• Wikinews contains current news on Mazara del Vallo

Draft : the article respects the standard template contains useful information for a tourist and gives brief information on the tourist destination. Header and footer are correctly filled out.