“The Saline di Marsala, founded by the Phoenicians, are located in the heart of the Stagnone Reserve with a unique and fascinating landscape. Even today, they produce sea salt using an ancient system. During your visit, you can admire the distinctive windmills, with the most famous being the Ettore Infersa, along with the tanks used for the natural salt formation.
Ancient Origins: The first salt pans were established two thousand years before the Christian era, when the Phoenicians founded their colonies in western Sicily. The history of these salt pans has been documented since 1154, when the Arab geographer Edrisi mentioned them. However, it appears that their origins are even more ancient.
The Salt Trade: The Marsala Salt Pans were a vital source of production and trade throughout the Mediterranean. Sea salt, essential for food preservation in ancient times, represented an invaluable legacy passed down from generation to generation.
Global Know-How: The Marsala Salt Pans influenced salt production worldwide, from Tunisia to Yemen. Voltaire himself, over two hundred years ago, wrote: “To truly discuss salt pans, one must come here, to the western part of Sicily […] old, very old salt pans, already founded by the Phoenicians.”
Recommendations: We recommend visiting the Infersa Mill, a thematic museum, and taking a guided walk inside the lagoon. Additionally, during the salt harvesting season, you can participate as a “Salinaio per caso,” gathering salt alongside the salt workers. A day in the infernal salt pans is an experience that combines well-being and tradition!
The Ettore Infersa Windmill: Today, the Ettore Infersa Windmill stands as a symbol of Marsala and western Sicily. It has been restored both structurally and mechanically. This masterpiece of industrial archaeology takes us on a journey to discover the salt culture. Visiting the mill feels like stepping back in time, retracing the history and techniques of salt extraction and processing.
The windmill’s eolic machine, rotating slowly, generates a power of over 100 horsepower. Fabric sails capture the force of the wind, driving the gears that allow salt grinding. When the wind blows strongly, the salt workers reduce the sails to prevent the mill from shaking.
Sunset Views: Don’t miss the opportunity to admire one of the most beautiful and photographed sunsets in Sicily at Mamma Caura, the sunset bar overlooking the lagoon. Here, time slows down, voices lower, and gazes focus on the horizon as the sun immerses itself in the salt pans.
Preserved Tradition: Despite centuries of activity, the Ettore and Infersa Salt Pans remain in perfect condition—a rare testament to a highly anthropized production environment that respects nature rigorously.
In summary, the Marsala Salt Pans and the Ettore Infersa Windmill offer a journey back in time, blending history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. An experience not to be missed for those who want to discover the allure of Sicilian salt and its traditions!