Marsala
You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Italian. (January 2022) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Marsala | ||
---|---|---|
City of Marsala | ||
ISTAT code 081011 | | |
Patron saint | Our Lady of the Cave (Madonna della Cava) and Saint John the Baptist | |
Saint day | respectively 19 January and 24 June | |
Website | comune.marsala.tp.it |
Marsala (Italian:
The town is famous for the docking of Giuseppe Garibaldi on 11 May 1860 (the Expedition of the Thousand) and for its Marsala wine. A feature of the area is the Stagnone Lagoon Natural Reserve – a marine area with salt ponds.
Marsala is built on the ruins of the ancient Carthaginian city of Lilybaeum, and includes in its territory the archaeological site of the island of Motya, an ancient Phoenician town. The modern name likely derived from the Arabic مَرْسَى عَلِيّ (marsā ʿaliyy, "Ali's harbor"), or possibly مَرْسَى اللّٰه (marsā llāh, "God's harbor").[5]
Geography
Situated at the extreme western point of Sicily, the town was founded on Lilibeo Cape from where the Aegadian Islands and the Stagnone Lagoon can be seen.
Territory
The territory of Marsala, 241 square kilometres (93 sq mi), has a rich cultural and landscape heritage; its area includes the
The city of Marsala had a population of about 86,000 until the end of 1970, when Petrosino, a village formerly part of Marsala, decided to become a self-governing town after a local referendum.
The area of Marsala is classified as a seismic zone 2 (medium). In the last 200 years three earthquakes of medium-high intensity were recorded:
- 18 May 1828 – magnitude 5.17 (about VI Mercalliscale).
- 15 January 1968 – Belice earthquake which in Marsala reached VII Mercalli scale (although its intensity was as high as X in other locations).
- 7 June 1981 – magnitude 4.60 (IV–V scala Mercalli scale) with epicentre in Borgo Elefante in Mazara del Vallo, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the town-centre of Marsala.
Climate
Marsala has a hot-summer mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa), similar to most coastal towns in Sicily, with hot and dry summers coupled with moderately wet and mild winters. Weather in Marsala is similar to that of nearby Trapani.
Summers are generally warm with a record maximum temperature of 37 °C (99 °F) in August 2017.[6] In the summer, due to how dry it is, it is not unusual to experience the effect of Sirocco wind, which brings dust and sand from the Sahara.
Climate data for Marsala, Sicily (Temperatures 1961–1990; humidity, sunlight and precipitation 1973–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 22.0 (71.6) |
21.6 (70.9) |
23.2 (73.8) |
26.0 (78.8) |
30.4 (86.7) |
34.0 (93.2) |
35.0 (95.0) |
37.0 (98.6) |
32.5 (90.5) |
31.0 (87.8) |
26.2 (79.2) |
24.8 (76.6) |
37.0 (98.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16.0 (60.8) |
16.2 (61.2) |
18.1 (64.6) |
21.0 (69.8) |
22.9 (73.2) |
26.9 (80.4) |
29.4 (84.9) |
30.3 (86.5) |
28.0 (82.4) |
24.3 (75.7) |
20.4 (68.7) |
17.1 (62.8) |
22.4 (72.3) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 11.8 (53.2) |
12.0 (53.6) |
13.6 (56.5) |
16.3 (61.3) |
18.2 (64.8) |
21.9 (71.4) |
24.1 (75.4) |
24.7 (76.5) |
23.0 (73.4) |
19.6 (67.3) |
16.2 (61.2) |
13.1 (55.6) |
17.7 (63.9) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 7.7 (45.9) |
7.8 (46.0) |
9.1 (48.4) |
11.6 (52.9) |
13.6 (56.5) |
16.8 (62.2) |
18.8 (65.8) |
19.2 (66.6) |
18.0 (64.4) |
14.8 (58.6) |
12.0 (53.6) |
9.1 (48.4) |
13.1 (55.6) |
Record low °C (°F) | 1.2 (34.2) |
2.0 (35.6) |
2.0 (35.6) |
5.5 (41.9) |
8.7 (47.7) |
12.0 (53.6) |
13.6 (56.5) |
14.3 (57.7) |
12.0 (53.6) |
9.0 (48.2) |
5.5 (41.9) |
3.2 (37.8) |
1.2 (34.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 56 (2.2) |
46 (1.8) |
45 (1.8) |
37 (1.5) |
17 (0.7) |
5 (0.2) |
2 (0.1) |
9 (0.4) |
42 (1.7) |
61 (2.4) |
65 (2.6) |
65 (2.6) |
450 (17.7) |
Average relative humidity (%) (daily average)
|
82 | 81 | 80 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 72 | 74 | 76 | 79 | 82 | 82 | 77.5 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 7.58 |
Source 1: Archivio Climatico - Enea[8] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Clima Marsala - Medie climatiche[9] |
Mythology
In Greek mythology,
History
Carthaginian Period
The Carthaginian army sent to conquer
The
In 250 BC the Romans sent a huge naval expedition of up to 240 ships towards Lilybaeum, the Carthaginian headquarters. A massive Roman army of 4 legions under the two consuls was also sent.[15] The Carthaginians also understood the importance of this port and put their whole force together to save the city including about 10,000 mercenaries (Celts and Greeks). The Carthaginians sailed 50 ships from Africa under the command of Hannibal to try to save the city by charging towards the centre of the harbour. The Romans did not attempt to stop the entry of the fleet because of their sudden appearance and unfavourable winds in a foreign port.
The Roman fleet was defeated at Drepana in 249 BC when attempting a surprise attack there, followed by the destruction of the rest of the fleet soon afterwards in a storm. This forced the Romans to settle in for a long siege.[16]
The
In 241 BC the city was given to the Romans as part of the peace treaty ending the First Punic War and then became one of the most important cities in Sicily.
Roman Lilybaeum
In 218 BC, in the Second Punic War, the Battle of Lilybaeum was fought between the navies of Carthage and Rome when Carthage attempted a secret raid on the city to re-establish a base. Marcus Amellius, the praetor at Lilybaeum, was told about the impending raid and prepared his 20 ships which managed to defeat the 50 opposing quinqueremes.
In the
The city walls were abandoned in the 4th c. AD as shown by buildings erected over or beside the walls.
Post-Roman Period
The city was the seat of the
Since the end of the 11th century, the area has been conquered by Norman, Angevin and Aragonese troops. During this time, Marsala became wealthy, primarily through trade. However the blocking up of the harbour of Punta Alga, decreed by Emperor Charles V so as to stop Saracen forays, brought an end to this period of prosperity.
The development of Marsala wine at the end of the 18th century, headed by English merchants settled in Sicily, considerably improved local trade. This triggered an economic expansion in Marsala, including the funding of infrastructure projects such as the current harbour of Margitello.
On 11 May 1860
On 11 May 1943, in the lead-up to the World War II Allied invasion of Sicily, an Allied bombardment of the town permanently damaged its Baroque centre and claimed many victims: "Marsala Wiped Off the Map" titled the New York Times on 13 May 1943.[18]
Archaeology
The archaeological area of Marsala has been investigated both through
Based on the archaeological findings at Capo Boeo, Lilybaeum was rebuilt twice, in the 1st century BC and in the 3rd century AD. There is not enough evidence to associate the latter with the 365 Crete earthquake, even though literature and archaeological discoveries elsewhere show that other Sicilian towns, such as Selinunte, were affected.[20]
Several fragments of the city walls and floors and walls of public and private buildings are visible. Excavations in several places under the modern city have revealed rich mosaic floors in town houses.
The Baglio Anselmi Archaeological Museum houses an example of
The three entrance gates into the town dating from
Economy
The economy of Marsala still depends on the production of wine, although tourism is a growing industry and it too is becoming an important source of income for the city. With its 14-kilometre (8.7 mi) coastline[26] of sandy beaches and clear sea, access to the nearby Aegadian Islands and the natural environment of the Saline Della Laguna and Stagnone Lagoon, Marsala is an important Sicilian tourist destination.[citation needed]
Notable people
- Giulia Adamo
- Alborosie
- Ignazio Boschetto, tenor of the Italian operatic pop group Il Volo
- Michele Genna
- Angelo "Bloody Angelo" Genna
- Vincenzo Genna
- Antonio Genna Jr.
- Joe Masseria
Main sights
Religious architecture
- Saint Thomas of Canterburyand built on the site of a Norman predecessor from 1176. There is an organ with 4,317 pipes.
- Church of Purgatorio.
- Church of Addolorata.
- Church of Itriella.
- Convent, church and belfry of the Carmine.
- Church of Saint Matthew.
- Church and monastery of Saint Peter.
- Church of Saint John the Baptist.
Civil architecture
- Spanish Quarters (Town Hall).
- VII April Palace (16th–17th century), built on the site of the Lodge of Pisani.
- Fici Palace.
- Grignani Palace.
- Spanò-Burgio Palace.
- Communal theatre, built in 19th Century, consists in 300 seats, reopened in 1994 and dedicated to Eliodoro Sollima.
- Cine Teatro Impero, built during Fascism.
- Agricultural Technical Institute With Specialized School Wine "Abele Damiani" Marsala – Aggregate IPSAA Strasatti With Hospitality Section (state public high school).
Military architecture
- Villa Araba, Carabinieri (military police, and public security), Command Company and Operative Centre.
- Castle of Marsala (formerly a State Prison up to a few years ago).
- Ancient Gates and walls of Marsala.
Culture
Large-scale wine production started in 1773, encouraged by English trader John Woodhouse. Important winemaking establishments include Ingham-Whitaker, le Cantine Florio, Martinez, Pellegrino, Rallo, Mineo, Bianchi, Baglio Hopps, Donnafugata, Alagna, Caruso e Minini. Marsala cellars produce also red and white wines. Varieties include Alcesti, De Bartoli, Fina, Vinci, Birgi, Mothia, Paolini e Baglio Oro. In 2012, Marsala was named the European Capital of Wine.[27]
Twin towns – sister cities
Marsala is twinned with:
References
- ^ "Popolazione residente al 31 Marzo 2020 : Sicilia". I.Stat. 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Marsala, Sicily, Italy". enchantingitaly.com. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "marsala | Origin and meaning of the name marsala by Online Etymology Dictionary". etymonline.com. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
- ^ Samson, Tony. "Marsala in Agosto 2018 - Clima, Meteo e Temperature in agosto". Dove e Quando andare? (in Italian). Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Anche a Marsala arriva la neve". Itaca Notizie (in Italian). 31 December 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Archivio Climatico". Enea. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Clima Marsala - Medie climatiche". ilmeteo.it (in Italian). Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ Apollodorus, Library, 1.9.25
- S2CID 129386884.
- ISBN 9781853677335p 66
- ^ "ToposText". topostext.org.
- ^ Diodorus Siculus, Biblioteca Historica, 23.1.2
- ^ Rickard, J: Siege of Lilybaeum, 250-241 BC, http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/siege_lilybaeum.html
- ISBN 0-8047-2673-6. p 148.
- ^ Polybius, i. 43, ii. 7
- ^ "TUNISIAN RESISTANCE ENDS IN ROUT OF GERMANS; GEN. VON ARNIM AND 150,000 MEN CAPTURED (5/13/43)". freerepublic.com.
- ^ Vento, Maurizio (1999). La topografia di Lilybaeum. Italy.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - S2CID 128640363.
- ^ "Regione Siciliana Assessorato Beni Culturali". regione.sicilia.it. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
- ^ Mirabile, Totò. "Porta Mazara". museomirabilesicilia.it (in Italian). Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- ^ S.r.l., El-edrisi. "Porta Garibaldi | Altri luoghi | Marsala Turismo - Portale turistico della Città di Marsala | Parole, immagini e atmosfere di una città senza tempo". Marsala Turismo - Portale turistico della Città di Marsala. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- ^ Mirabile, Totò. "Porta Nuova". museomirabilesicilia.it (in Italian). Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- ^ "Top Sites to See in Marsala | Visit Sicily". Amazing World in Pictures. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
- ^ "DESCRIZIONE DELLA CITTA' // COME ARRIVARE A MARSALA". eurocasa-marsala.it (in Italian). Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ ideafutura.com, Idea Futura srl -. "Comune di Marsala - 13 Novembre 2012 - MARSALA CITTA EUROPEA DEL VINO PER L'ANNO 2013". comune.marsala.tp.it (in Italian). Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Coopération Internationale". nabeul.gov.tn (in French). Gouvernorat de Nabeul. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ "I SINDACI DI MARSALA E MODICA GETTANO LE BASI PER UN GEMELLAGGIO". comune.marsala.tp.it (in Italian). Marsala. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ "Regiony partnerskie". powiat.nysa.pl (in Polish). Powiat Nysa. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ "Marsala e Porto stringono un gemellaggio: "Insieme per la cultura"". Itaca Notizie (in Italian). 13 May 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
External links
- Official website (in Italian)
- About Marsala production