Near Marsala, at the extreme north-western tip f Sicily, the sea forms a lagoon (commonly known as the "Stagnone" of Marsala), whose depth varies from 50cm to 2 meters, Here, between the Big Island and the mainland, on the island of Pantaleo there was Mozia (or Mothia), a Phoenician colony founded in the VIII century BC; flourishing commercial port and obligatory point of passage for vessels bound for Spain, Africa, Sardinia and Central Italy, Mozia became one of the richest Phoenician colonies in the Mediterranean area. Destroyed by Dionysius of Syracuse in 397 BC, the island passed under the control of the Carthaginians, but its star was in decline, due to the foundation on the mainland of Lilybaeum (now Marsala), by survivors of Mozia.
The remains of its civilization and history were brought to light thanks to Joseph Whitaker, an English archaeologist and heirs to a family who had been involved in the trade of Marsala wine. He bought the island in 1902.
The defensive walls, the gates and many monuments (Kothlon, Cappiddazzu Sanctuary, Tofet) were found, also thanks to the cooperation of colonel Giuseppe Lipari Cascio. In the 60s of the XX century, there was a new impetus to archaeological research, thanks to the contribution of the University of Rome "La Sapienza" and the Superintendence to Western Sicily. The systematic investigation culminated with the discovery in 1972 of the famous "Young Man of Mozia".
Prehistoric relics, ceramics, coins, votive steles and funerary objects from Tofet are on display in the Whitaker Museum. The model of the island of Mothia is interesting too. But the most important piece is the white marble statue representing the Young Man of Mozia. Probably transported to the island by the Carthaginians, after the destruction of Selinunte (409 BC), the statue represents a high rank young man (deductible from his tunic and well-groomed hair), without his arms, perhaps driving a chariot of brandishing a whip. Dated back to the V century BC, it is a Greek influenced masterpiece, with harmonious proportions and not common plastic sense.
Not to be missed:
- the remains of the fortifications, dating back to the IV century BC and enlarged in the following centuries;
- North Gate, the best preserved of the two gates of the city. It is still possible to see the two towers flanking the gate and the paved street rutted by ancient cart wheels;
- South Gate, near the port, flanked by two towers;
- the paved road, connecting Mozia with the mainland, now located below the water surface. 7Km long, the trail is marked by boundary stones, emerging from the sea;
- Cappiddazzu Sanctuary, behind the North Gate, consists of several different aged buildings. It was probably a sacred place for the presence of many altars where people left their offers to gods;
- the archaic necropolis, with tombstone and urns for cremation;
- the Tofet, a sanctuary where the urns containing the remains of human sacrifice were placed. A common practice was the sacrifice of the firstborn male children.
- the Cothon, a rectangular shaped small dock;
- the Casermetta, a military building;
- the House of Mosaics, for the remains of a mosaic made with white and black pebbles, representing a griffin attacking a deer and a lion attacking a bull;
- the House of Amphora, for the considerable number of amphorae found there.