Top Things to See in Mazara del Vallo

From Marsala, we headed to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. Along the way, we stopped in Mazara del Vallo. It's reminiscent of a North African Casbah and takes about 2 hours to tour. Mazara is Sicily's largest fishing center and is known for gambero rosso di Mazara (Mazara red shrimp).

Lonely Planet Sicily has a small section on Mazara. Just wander around. Each building has a signpost with explanations.

Chiesa di Santa Veneranda, an example of Sicilian Baroque architecture.

Colorful hand-painted tile indicating this was Via Pescatori (Fishermen Street).

The streets in the Casbah are narrow. We were approached by Tunisians who wanted to be our tour guide. It reminded us of our trip to Morocco when we couldn't shake the guide-wannabes. Fortunately, they weren't as persistent in Mazara.

Chiesa di San Francesco

The ornate single-vault interior is a surprise, given the austere facade.

Abbazia di San Nicolo Regale, a Benedictine abbey founded between 1100-1124.

Chiesa e Convento del Carmine, built in 1370.

Collegio dei Gesuiti, built around 1672.

We stumbled upon this building near the Museo del Satiro Danzante.

Currently, there's a free exhibit featuring models of Sicilian churches..

There was also a replica of the Dancing Satyr.

The real Dancing Satyr is displayed in the Museo del Satiro Danzante. It's a bronze casting from the Hellenistic era (3rd and 2nd century BC)..

Chiesa di Sant'Ignazaio is a shell of a building.

Inside the church, you'll find a double cylindrical peristyle.

The Piazza della Repubblica is Mazara's central piazza.

Seminario Vescovile sits on one side of the Piazza della Repubblica.

The Basilica Cattedrale, also known as Cattedrale del Santissimo Salvatore (Cathedral of the Holy Savior) is also found in the Piazza.

Its inside is equally impressive.

Unfortunately, a square office building completes the Piazza.

The Arco Normano (Noram Arch) is the only remnant of the Norman castle. The Normans conquered Mazara in 1072.

Fontana Consagra is a bronze sculpture by Pietro Consagra that is located near the Norman Arch.

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