What to See in Marzamemi: History and Places to Know

South of every South

This tourist guide aims to be a valuable tool to support the activity of promoting our places, between nature and culture, between land and sea. With it you will have an overview of the southernmost strip of Sicily and be able to go on a discovery of historical monuments, archaeological sites, naturalistic oases, places of scenic interest and coastlines of enchanting beauty.
The Association Pro Loco Marzamemi, invites you, with a hint of pride, to discover the south of the South. Here everything evokes the ancient Sicily, the simple and popular Sicily of the past. Take your time to savor the details and, as if by magic, you will feel as if you are taking a plunge into the past.

Marzamemi

Marzamemi is a seaside village, a hamlet of Pachino, whose name is said by some sources to derive from the Arabic “Marsà al hamen,” meaning “Bay of the Turtledoves.” In fact, this area represents an obligatory passage point for small birds during migration. Until a few decades ago, the economy was based on fishing and, even earlier, tuna fishing. For several centuries, in fact, a tuna fishery implanted in the early 1600s was active, in time becoming the second most important tuna fishery in Sicily. The inhabitants of Marzamemi, called Marzamaroti, are originally from the towns of Syracuse and Avola. In addition to seafaring activities, small-scale shipbuilding aimed at building wooden boats was also well established in the village.

Tonnara of Marzamemi

The Marzamemi tuna fishery was erected in the 17th century under Spanish rule. In 1655 it was acquired by the Calascibetta barons of Piazza Armerina, and in the second half of the 19th century ownership passed to the Nicolaci family of Noto.
During the 18th century the Prince’s Palace, the church dedicated to Our Lady of Carmel and the fishermen’s cottages were built. The tuna fishery establishment is characterized by three large entrances that allowed the sheltering of boats loaded with tuna inside the so-called loggia. In the early 1900s, a factory for processing tuna in oil was built on the north side, consisting of boilers and associated chimneys. The only remaining smokestack, which survived the bombings of World War II, can still be seen today. The tuna factory remained active until 1954.

Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - 1752

The ancient tuna trap church, consecrated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, was built at the behest of Baron Bernardo Calascibetta, owner of the trap. Work began in 1748 and ended in 1752. Inside the church were three altars, a central one with the statue of Our Lady of Pompeii, and two side altars with the statues of St. Anthony of Padua and St. Francis of Paola, patron saint of Marzamemi.
Above the high altar was a painting depicting Our Lady of Mount Carmel holding the Infant Jesus.
The church remained open for worship until 1948; that same year,in fact, due to exceptional weather events, the roof collapsed and the church was no longer usable. Renovation work began in 2020 to use the church as the Museum of the Sea.

Church of St. Francis of Paola - 1948

The Church of St. Francis of Paola was inaugurated and opened for worship on January 4, 1948. It consists of a single nave over five bays and a polygonal apse. A characteristic rose window stands out on the façade. St. Francis of Paola, protector of sailors, is the patron saint of Marzamemi. The relationship that binds the village to its patron saint is a people’s experience that strengthens the locals’ sense of belonging and results in a festival celebrated on the Monday following August 15,which is very well attended. Since the early 1900s, unfailingly every year, the Simulacrum of the Saint is carried on the shoulders through the streets of Marzamemi and also in an evocative procession by sea on a boat, where the Sailor’s Prayer is read and due honors are paid to the Saint.

Palace of the Princes of Villadorata - Mid-18th century

The palace was built around 1750 on the initiative of Baron Bernardo Calascibetta and stands on the west side of Piazza Regina Margherita, opposite the old fishermen’s dwellings. The building has a simple facade and an arched entrance portal. On the lower floor are warehouses that were used for storing goods and sheltering functional equipment for the tuna fishery. Through an open space, connected to the Loggia degli Scieri, access is possible to the upper floor, used as the owners’ residence. In the mid-19th century the building was acquired by the Nicolaci family of the Princes of Villadorata.

Largo Balata - Loggia degli scieri

The Largo Balata takes its name from the stone slabs, called balate in Sicilian, with which the space in front of the tuna fishery, in front of the small harbor, is appropriately paved in order to both facilitate the hauling of boats and make it easier to land the tuna caught.
The Loggia degli Scieri is a single large room used for the shelter of the tuna boats that were hauled directly out to sea from here. The facade of the Loggia is characterized by the three large gates that allowed the entrance and exit of scieri and muciare; these typical boats represented the symbols of Marzamemi’s local economy and culture. In the early 1900s the tuna fishery complex was completed with the construction of the camperia; inside the Loggia the first phase of tuna processing was carried out: by means of winches, after being washed, they were hung by the tail from special beams called appindituri, where they remained at least twenty-four hours to bleed.

Camperia - 20th Century

The Camperia was used by the Nicolaci family in the early 1900s as a factory for the production of tuna in oil. The tuna was cooked in two furnaces equipped with chimneys of which (to) today only the smaller one remains; the larger one, in fact, collapsed due to Anglo-American air raids during World War II. The large-scale factory occupies the area of the “big field” bounded on the west by Viale Jonio, overlooking the Balata marina, on the north by Via Marzamemi and on the east by Via Letizia, which flows into Piazza Regina Margherita.

Alleys and courtyards

Walking through the alleys that branch off from the Regina Margherita Square, one has the feeling that time has stood still. Everything still speaks of the intrinsic relationship between man and fishing; the low fishermen’s cottages made of sandstone corroded by sun and wind, the narrow streets made up of basalt, the stuffed chairs with wooden tables, and the Ionian Sea in the background… A unique setting.

Courtyard of the Rais - 18th Century

The Courtyard of the Rais is a small clearing, paved with limestone basalt, surrounded by the fishermen’s cottages and in front of the house of the Rais (head of the tuna fishery, responsible for the tuna fishermen and the success of the mattanza). The location of the house of the Rais was strategic to the control of the passage of fishing boats because, in the back, the house faced directly onto the sea.

What to see nearby

If you’re looking for breathtaking natural beauty around Marzamemi, you won’t want to miss the Vendicari Faunal Oasis Oriented Nature Reserve and Calamosche Beach.
This protected nature reserve offers visitors the chance to explore a breathtaking coastline with crystal clear waters and pristine beaches.
Other beaches nearby that are definitely worth a visit are San Lorenzo and Spinazza beaches: both offer the chance to sunbathe and enjoy the Mediterranean.

The Salt Pans of Marzamemi

Salt extraction from the Marzamemi salt pans was functional for the preservation of bluefin tuna caught in the local tuna fishery. The salt pans remained in operation until the early 1960s. During the period of their activity, in the feeding channels connected with the sea, some rare fish species found their natural habitat, such as the marzamarieddu, a small fish that later, as a result of the intense anthropization of the place and the decommissioning of the salt pans, disappeared altogether. Beginning in the 1970s, the salt pans, in the summertime, when the bodies of water dried up, were used by young people in the village as soccer fields. All that remains of these now disused salt pans is the large pond, which in the winter season becomes a passage point for various migratory bird species, including pink flamingos.

Isolotto Brancati

Delightful natural island, small in size, which, due to its location a few meters from the coast and the particular structure of the block of flats that stands there, has over time become one of the symbols of Marzamemi. Since the early decades of the 20th century, Prof. Raffaele Brancati, a doctor from Pachino and distinguished chair of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Catania, obtained the state concession of the islet. The latter had his summer residence built on the islet, a characteristic red-burgundy building, where he often used to host his cousin, the famous Pachinese writer Vitaliano Brancati, who drew from that suggestive place a source of poetic inspiration. Toward the end of the 1930s, the state concession of the islet became property, so the place took on the name Isolotto Brancati.

The Latomie of Marzamemi

The latomie of Marzamemi are among the largest open-pit quarries from the pre-Hellenistic period in all of Sicily, from which the ancient Greeks extracted large blocks of calcarenite to erect temples or other buildings. Today the area of the latomie lies almost entirely submerged due to rising sea levels over the past millennia. The location of the quarries close to the shoreline is explained by the choice of transport system by boats. The geometric cuts in the rock attest to workings conducted on several overlapping levels, a sign of intensive and continuous use over time. Scattered almost everywhere on the plane of the latomia, or stacked close to the breakwater, hundreds of calcarenite blocks can still be observed.

Rudini's Mill - 1897

A few hundred meters from Marzamemi, in contrada Lettiera, is the prestigious oenological establishment Palmento di Rudinì. The Palmento was erected in 1897 at the behest of Antonio Starrabba marquis of Rudinì, descendant of the Starrabba princes of Giardinelli and founders of Pachino. It is an example of industrial archaeology of relevant importance in that, at the time, it was a very technologically advanced structure, comparable to the wine factories that the Florios had built in western Sicily. Characteristic is the monumental underground cellar that was used to keep the temperature of the must constant; from here, via long enoducts, the wine was transferred to the ships moored in Porto Fossa. In 2010, after impressive restoration work, the plant became a multipurpose center with an attached Ecomuseum, where archaeological and anthropological finds from the area are on display.

Beaches

This corner of Sicily that frames Marzamemi is dotted with enchanting beaches. North of the village are the beaches of Spinazza, San Lorenzo, Vendicari and Calamosche. Heading south, on the other hand, one can discover the beaches of Marinella, Cavettone, Vulpiglia and Morghella. Arriving in Portopalo we find the beach of Scalo Mandrie and the small beach of Capo Passero Island. Followed by other beaches to the Isola delle Correnti, the southernmost point in Europe and a watershed between the Ionian and Mediterranean seas. Continuing further we encounter the beaches of Carratois, Punto Rio, Costa dell’Ambra, Granelli and Porto Ulisse.

Vendicari

The Oriented Nature Reserve “Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari” is important not only for the presence of vast wetlands, a resting place for various species of migratory birds, but also for the ancient tuna fishery, the medieval tower and archaeological areas dating back to the Byzantine period. North of the reserve is the beach of Calamosche, nestled between two rocky headlands that offer visitors unexpected beauty. Numerous ravines, sea caves and small bays can be admired in the marvelous scenery. Driving along the Pachino-Noto Provincial Road, at km 10 you will find the main entrance to the Reserve and at km 15 the sign “Calamosche Beach.”

San Lorenzo Beach

Don’t miss this beautiful Beach, where you can sunbathe and take a refreshing swim in the crystal blue sea. This beach offers a combination of rocky and sandy areas, perfect for exploring and finding your ideal spot to enjoy the Mediterranean sun and climate.
The water is turquoise and crystal clear, and the shallow depth makes it ideal for families with children.
Take a look at the table below to get a better idea of what San Lorenzo Beach has to offer. From water activities to relaxation, there’s something for everyone.
The best time to visit is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the sea is at its most inviting, but in all months of the year it retains a very unique appeal and charm.
Now that you have all the details about San Lorenzo beach, it’s time to move on to the next gorgeous spot along the coast: the Spinazza Beach.

Spinazza Beach

After the beautiful sandy coast of San Lorenzo, it’s time to head south to Spinazza Beach. This beach is a must-visit for anyone looking for a peaceful and enjoyable vacation with its crystal clear waters and breathtaking views.
In addition to simply relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun, Spinazza Beach also offers many beach activities such as beach volleyball, paddleboarding, and kayaking. There are many opportunities to explore the underwater world and discover the vibrant marine life for those who enjoy diving.
Whether you are traveling alone, with family, or with friends, Spinazza Beach is a great choice for an unforgettable experience.

The events

Feast of St. Francis of Paola

The feast of the patron saint of Marzamemi is celebrated on the Monday following the Feast of the Assumption. Suggestive is the sea procession of the simulacrum of the patron saint, which remains to this day one of the most participated moments in the village. The statue of St. Francis is embarked on a fishing boat adorned with flowers, on which the authorities and the marching band are also boarded; the procession is followed by dozens of boats. Before returning to the small port, the authorities throw a wreath into the sea to remember all the victims of the sea. Once on land, the statue of the saint continues the procession through the streets of the town. In the afternoon of the feast day, in the setting of the Balata harbor, the cuccagna a mare and the boat race are held, events that represent the oldest and most established tradition of the Marzamarota summer.

International Festival of Mediterranean Identities - Mediterranean Cinefest

The Regina Margherita Square, charming center of the village of Marzamemi, continues to be “the largest and southernmost open-air cinema hall in Europe,” even at another recent event, conceived and organized by the Pro Loco Marzamemi, the Mediterraneo Cinefest, a film section of the International Festival of Mediterranean Identities.. The event, which starting in 2022, will be held annually in the third week of September, in the enchanting setting of Marzamemi, is designed to divulge and promote the “identities” of the Mediterranean through events and performances aimed at rediscovering and publicizing the maritime traditions and, in particular, the ancient “fishing crafts” craft or specific processing systems characterizing a particular territory. Marzamemi, since the 1600s, has been the cradle of seafaring traditions and has been home to a Tonnara of international importance, known throughout the world. The International Festival of Mediterranean Identities aims to preserve the peculiar identity of Marzamemi so still rooted among the last fishermen and shipwrights of the ancient fishing village that, to this day, resists the many influences and stresses of global mass standardization. The Festival is divided into three macro-sections, one of which is aimed at literature concerning the Mediterranean indentities and is carried out through the presentation of books, which also includes the participation of the relevant authors and publishers; another section concerns the rediscovery of seafood cuisine, both family and shipboard, and its promotion through showcooking, tastings, lectures and debates, aimed in particular at highlighting and promoting the lesser-known species of the catch. Finally, the third section is dedicated to docu-films and feature films related to the protection of seafaring culture, fishing identity and seafaring villages and constitutes the Mediterraneo CineFest , the pivot around which the entire international event revolves, involving the most representative spaces of the village and its inhabitants; some of these, to this day, are still dedicated to fishing while the others are devoted, for the most part, to entrepreneurial activities that aim to propose to tourists the excellence of the village and the entire Val di Noto.

Bluefish Festival

In the last week of June, the Blue Fish Festival, conceived and realized by the Pro Loco Marzamemi. The event aims to promote the consumption of blue fish, which is a mainstay of the Marzamarota gastronomic tradition, recalling the history and culture of the area, which in fishing find their greatest apotheosis. This is done through various cultural activities, music, culinary competitions, tastings, exhibitions, performances and conferences. On those days, an exhibition is also set up with the fishing tools of the past, reconstruction of ancient seafaring activities, and photos bearing witness to the customs of the past.

Inverdurata of Pachino

The Inverdurata of Pachino is an artistic review of plant mosaics that is held during the second weekend of May. These mosaics express a theme chosen for the occasion and represent the exaltation of the agricultural sector in artistic form.
The event has as its location the city’s historic center in which typical local vegetables are transformed into pieces that go to make up paintings unique in the world of their kind. Side events and demonstrations are also planned.

Pachino

The town of Pachino was founded in 1760 at the behest of Prince Gaetano Starrabba, a native of Piazza Armerina, in his fief named Scibini. The urban layout, designed by architect Vincenzo Sinatra, developed according to an orthogonal grid around the prince’s palace, the Mother Church, consecrated to the Holy Crucifix (where the founder’s remains rest) and the Piano Piazza with a checkerboard arrangement of blocks. The first inhabitants were settlers from neighboring countries and the island of Malta. Our Lady of the Assumption, patron saint of the town, is celebrated on August 15.

Scibini Tower

The Scibini tower was erected in 1494 to guard and control the feud of the same name. It was Baron Antonino Sortino, a native of Noto, who wanted its construction. Today the tower is reduced to a ruin and it is not easy to imagine its original appearance. On the east-facing elevation the Sortino family crest and a plaque with a time-worn inscription, of which it is impossible to read or interpret, are still preserved. Mistakenly considered a watchtower, it was not part of the circuit of coastal towers in visual connection with each other and was not suitable for housing a military garrison. What remains of the ancient structure are the scarp basement and the eastern side of the upper floor walls. However, some architectural elements, still in situ, denote a certain refinement in stylistic features and construction technique.

Wine

Pachino is the home of the wine called “Nero d’Avola.” The limestone-clay soils, the morphology of the territory, the proximity of the sea and the Mediterranean climate have allowed this vine to find the favorable habitat to express itself in all its characteristics. Vine cultivation represented, especially until recently, the fulcrum around which the lives of farming families revolved, and the grape harvest was the concluding and festive moment of hard work in the countryside. Vineyard cultivation and pruning techniques have been handed down from generation to generation; typical is the Pachino bush vine. Pachino falls within the important geographical wine area called Doc Eloro subzone Pachino and Doc Noto, the latter including Doc Moscato di Noto. Zoning allows us to identify the Crùs of Bufalefi, Maccari, San Lorenzo, toward the Ionian area, while on the Mediterranean side we find those of Baroni, Burgio and Buonivini. The town’s winemaking tradition finds exemplary testimony in the Pachino “Nobile” Wine Museum, which houses a collection of more than 300 pieces and restores to memory the forgotten stories of peasants and palmenti.

The fish

Tuna fishing in Sicily has ancient origins, and Marzamemi is a relevant testimony to this. Tuna has been the area’s most important economic resource for hundreds of years, its prized meat rich in omega 3 still making it a valuable nutritional food. In the early 1900s, bluefish fishing became established, which in Marzamemi assumed an important economic role that has continued to this day. Fundamental to the development of this type of fishing is the proximity of the “shoal of Pachino,” a stretch of very fishy seabed about 11 miles from the coast. The renowned local fishing companies hold the main traditions related to Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishing, bluefish fishing and their processing techniques. There are several historical testimonies of seafood processing, such as the large warehouses where fish salting took place and the rooms of the old tuna fishery that surround the Regina Margherita square, now used as showrooms for typical gourmet products. Inside these recovered rooms it is possible to breathe in the history of Marzamemi.

The PGI Tomato of Pachino

The territory of Pachino can be considered a treasure chest of flavors and food and wine excellence. The Pachino tomato is one of the world’s best-known jewels that combines the warmth of the earth, the energy of the sun and the breeze of the sea; in fact, the crops stretch close to the Mediterranean coast, at the most extreme tip of Europe. The sandy soils and slightly brackish irrigation water give the tomatoes that typical sweet taste, due to the sugar content, and give Pachino tomatoes the elements necessary to bear the IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) label, such as the cherry, marinda, datterino and tondo liscio varieties. Because of its organoleptic and nutritional properties, the Pachino tomato is widely used in haute cuisine.

Portopalo di Capo Passero

The founding of Portopalo di Capo Passero dates back to 1792 and was due to Baron Gaetano Deodato, owner of the Burgio-Maucini fiefdom. The choice of site is explained by the proximity of a flourishing tuna fishery and a 17th-century Spanish fortress built to defend the coast from pirate raids. The urban plan was the work of Netino architect Paolo Labisi. At the edge of the town center stands the 19th-century Cozzo Spadaro lighthouse, a symbol of the town. The building, with a square plan, is topped by an octagonal tower on top of which is a revolving screen lantern, whose light beam is visible from 40 nautical miles. Portopalo di Capo Passero is, to date, the second largest fishing port in Sicily. Typical is the fish market with daily fish auction in the fishing port area. The patron saint St. Gaetano is celebrated on August 7.

Tonnara of Portopalo

The tuna fishery at Portopalo di Capo Passero, predating the 13th century, is perhaps the oldest in Sicily. The original site was located south of Morghella beach. It was only after the 1693 earthquake that the tonnara was rebuilt in the present area with a new marfaraggio including the balata, loggia, salt store and barrel store, the house of the administrator, rais, calatafari and sailors as well as a small church. There were several owners who took turns over the centuries, the last of whom was Baron Pietro Bruno of Belmonte. Fishing activity continued until 1969.

Isola delle Correnti

Cape Passero Island

Opposite the town of Portopalo stands the island of Capo Passero, a naturalistic gem that, until the 18th century, was joined to the mainland by a tongue of sand. Its coastal perimeter is rich in ravines and sea caves, with a single sandy beach occupying the westernmost part. In the waters ahead it is easy to come across shoals of bream, sea bass or sole. On the highest point of the island stands the Royal Spanish Fortress dating back to the early 17th century and built to curb frequent raids by Barbary pirates. The island is considered the realm of Mediterranean scrub, with a dense presence of dwarf palms (Chamaerops humilis) and other protected plant species.

Torrefano

Torrefano is the name of a district located south of Pachino. From its highest point, where there is a belvedere, there is a wonderful panoramic view of the sea and the Ionian coast. The locality takes its name from an ancient signal tower, called precisely Torre Fano, which was part of a system of coastal watchtowers. In the event of enemy ship sightings, the tower’s keepers had the task, through a system of fire and smoke signals (so-called fani), of alerting the local population.
The tower was built in the early 15th century; it originally had a cylindrical shape and an extremely simple architectural structure. It consisted of a basement with no external access, a raised floor on which the entrance opened, reached by a ladder ladder, and a terrace. It was a very small tower, with a diameter of only six meters and a height of about ten meters. To this day, what remains of the tower is only a small ruin.

Roman Villa of Tellaro

At the archaeological site of the Villa Romana del Tellàro the remains of a rich residence from the late imperial age are observed. The site is located south of Noto, not far from the Vendicari Nature Oasis. Located below an eighteenth-nineteenth-century farmhouse and brought to light in 1971 by clandestine excavations, the villa, dating perhaps to the fourth century AD, was later identified and studied by archaeologists who found splendid mosaics there.
The difficult and lengthy exploration work, which lasted more than two decades, has returned the central body of the ancient complex, organized around a peristyle of about 20 meters on a side. The mosaic flooring of the various rooms features hunting scenes and geometric patterns that call to mind the better-known mosaics of Piazza Armerina.