Marsala

Sicily, Italy

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Marsala is a historic port city and comune on Sicily’s westernmost coast in the Province of Trapani, with a population of about 79,700, making it the fifth-largest city in Sicily.

Situated on Capo Boeo (also called Lilibeo), the city originated as the Phoenician-Punic settlement of Lilybaeum, founded by the Carthaginians in 397–396 BC after they destroyed the nearby island of Motya, and it later became a key Roman and medieval stronghold.

Marsala is world-famous for its namesake fortified wine, a DOC (and PDO) wine made mainly from Grillo, Inzolia, Catarratto, and Damaschino grapes, with alcohol content of 15–20% and classifications ranging from dry (secco) to sweet, and styles including amber (Ambra), golden (Oro), and ruby (Rubino).

The city’s name comes from the Arab phrase “Marsa Allah,” meaning “Harbour of God,” and it is also called the “City of Wine” because its historic center houses the Municipal Winery in the prestigious Palazzo Fici. In Italian history, Marsala is best known for the dramatic “Landing of the Thousand” on May 11, 1860, when Giuseppe Garibaldi and his volunteers entered through Porta Garibaldi, a historic gate still standing today, starting the unification of Italy.