What to see in Mazara del Vallo, itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest, including the Dancing Satyr Museum, Bishop's Palace, Seminary, Cathedral and Civic Museum.
Tourist information
Of ancient origins and located in the province of Trapani which is 52 km away, Mazara del Vallo was conquered by the Carthaginians in 409 BC. and later by the Romans.
Become a Saracen domain in the ninth century, the city went through a period of considerable wealth that also continued under the Norman domination.
Today it is an important fishing port.
In the historic center are located, facing each other, the bishop's palace and the seminary, the latter having the front porch, both dating back to the 1700s.
The Cathedral, which in its original form dates back to the end of the eleventh century, was rebuilt in the late seventeenth century in Baroque style.
On the facade stands out the sixteenth-century relief depicting Count Roger, while on the left side stands the seventeenth-century bell tower.
Inside the three naves there are some sarcophagi, Roman objects, interesting sculptures and a remarkable portal from 1525, while in the apse there is the scenic Transfiguration machine, including six sculptures by Gagini.
What see
Not far away is the Church of Santa Caterina, where there is the statue of the saint built in 1524 by Gagini.
Inside the church of San Michele, which was built in the seventeenth century on top of a previous construction, there is an allegorical cycle consisting of twenty-two statues.
A few steps away are the church of Santa Veneranda and Casa Scuderi, the latter having a Baroque facade.
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The small church of San Nicolò Regale was built by the Normans in 1124.
The Museum of the Dancing Satyr, housed in the former Church of Sant’Egidio, owes its name to the remarkable bronze statue depicting the Dancing Satyr, which is the most valuable piece.
In addition to this, there are archaeological finds found in the sea area off the coast of Mazara del Vallo, including medieval terracotta braziers and numerous transport amphorae dating back to the Punic and Roman ages.
Very interesting to visit is the civic museum, which exhibits a collection of paintings and one of Roman archaeological finds.
In via del Carmine is the Palazzo dei Cavalieri di Malta, built in Baroque style.
