Mozia, Archaeological site on San Pantaleo Island, Marsala, Italy.
Mozia is an ancient settlement on a small island within the Stagnone Nature Reserve, connected to mainland Sicily through a reconstructed causeway. The remains include residential quarters, workshops, and defensive structures along the coast.
The settlement was founded around 800 BCE as a Phoenician colony and grew into a major trading port across the Mediterranean. The conquest by Dionysius I in 398 BCE marked the end of Phoenician rule.
The Giuseppe Whitaker Museum displays many archaeological finds, including the famous charioteer statue discovered in 1979. The collection gives a sense of daily life and religious practices among the Phoenician inhabitants.
Walking is the best way to visit, as the site is compact and paths between the ruins are easy to follow. Opening hours change with the seasons, so checking current times before arriving is helpful.
The island holds the largest sacred pool in the ancient Mediterranean world, called a cothon, whose exact function remains a subject of research today. The pool connects directly to the sea and shows the advanced engineering skills of the Phoenician builders.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
