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We walked to the salt mills from our airbnb today and decided to take the 5€ boat to Mozia - I am so glad we did. The island is beautiful and serene, with some of the best preserved archaeology I have ever seen. We were fascinated all afternoon, and the artefacts in the museum impressed me more than ones I have seen in some of the world’s most famous collections. Not to be missed; a beautiful day in a beautiful and historically rich part of the world.…
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Date of experience: September 2020
1 Helpful vote
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The island of Motya is the Pompeii of the Phoenicians and should be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Take the boat of your choice: direct transfer to Motya or tour of the so-called Stagnone with the possibility of getting off in Motya. When you land on the island you will have to pay 6 euros because it is private property. Ask for the licensed guide Virginia Aloisi. Visiting the island with her is pleasant and engaging, you don't pay attention to the time that passes even in August under the sun. She will take you to the Whitaker Museum, he will describe with passion the statue of the young man of Motya, you will go to the house with the mosaics, to the remains of the temple and the sacred pool of Cothon and to the remains of one of the watchtowers of the Motya walls (the so called Casermetta - Guard House). Virginia will tell you about the native plant of the island (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) with emerald and ruby flowers that she has preserved from extinction. Finally, she will communicate strong emotions to you by reciting poems by Renzino Barbera. When the visit is over, you will be sad to have to leave.…
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Date of experience: August 2020
2 Helpful votes
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Hate it or love it. Even if the boat trip across the lagoon doesn't seem promising. Founded at the end of the 8th c. BC thanks to its good position close to Africa and obligatory route towards Spain, Sardinia and central Italy, Mozia became one of the most flourishing Phenician colonies of the Mediterranean. At the beginning of the 20th c., an Englishman called Joseph Whitaker, curious about natural sciences and refined individual, bought the island and started excavations. A very accurate leaflet at the museum (everyone gets there for a glimpse at the sensual "Giovane di Mozia") points out 22 places (excellent map) within easy reach. Among which the Tophet, open air sanctuary where vases contained the remains of sacrifices, and the House of Mosaics, with impressive black and white animals. A strange atmosphere - no, not sad, not sad - prevails on the island, between a mystery tour and a botanical garden. Maybe what inspired Paolo Chicco's "Strabismo di Venere" (Venus' strabism), The shadow of the "Giovane di Mozia", a well-written police novel (2017), available (in Italian) at the museum.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
1 Helpful vote
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A beautiful island for a walk on a nice day. But as far as the museum and ruins go, save your money. It’s actually pretty sad to see the lack of care and state of disrepair of the archeological sites. The signs are worn down and unreadable in many places and in one case the same sign is repeated at numerous locations. The museum has some interesting pieces but not worth the cost. The guide map we were provided was unreadable in numerous sections, like it had been miscopied. Consistent with the whole feel you get of apathy by the authorities for this site.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
1 Helpful vote
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It was mid July, really hot day, and the Isola is very little, but the Museum over there was worth taking all in. Really wonderful pieces, history...it was indeed a very good one!
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Date of experience: July 2019
1 Helpful vote
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