Sicily Mazara del Vallo

Without doubt, Mazara del Vallo's greatest treasure is its port. Situated at the mouth of the Mazara river, in a sheltered position, and just few sea miles away from Africa, since ancient times this Sicilian city has been valued as strategic harbour town.

First inhabited by the Phoenicians, Mazara del Vallo reached its maximum splendour under the Arab and Norman dominions. The complex maze of marrow paths and alleyways which characterise the zone known as the "Kasbah", have a distinctly North African feel about them.

Whilst much of the old town has a typical Arabian urban plan, the city walls and Mazara del Vallo's numerous churches date back to the Norman era, albeit with decorations of undisputable Arabian inspiration. Among the churches particularly worthy of admiration, there is that of S. Nicolò Regale, built under the reign of William I. The Cathedral dates back to the same period, although it was substantially altered in the 17th century.

Piazza della Repubblica forms a magnificent baroque backdrop to the old town. Only in recent times did Mazara del Vallo discover itself owner of a quite invaluable artwork, brought up from the seabed in 1998 by a lucky fisherman. The Dancing Satyr, a bronze sculpture of over 2 meters in height, is now displayed in the Regional Museum of St. Egidio in Piazza Plebiscito.