I always have to see at least one monument when I travel, otherwise I don’t feel I really understand a city. Among the things to see in Castellammare del Golfo, I chose the 2 that I think give a clearer idea about the Sicilians.
1 Tonnara di Scopello – Slaughter Museum
An incredible dive and another good reason not to miss the trap of Scopello: the opportunity to immerse yourself in an atmosphere that tints of red the waters of memory and tells us about “Mattanza”.
It is done through a museum that collects the fishing tools, the original ships, the buildings where the tuna was processed and a church inside the beautiful beam.
I was really impressed by what they told me in here…
The story of the tuna, coming from the Atlantic and heading south to lay their eggs, whose journey is interrupted by the fishermen and their corridor of nets towards the “death chamber”. A massacre of hundreds of tunas (today this type of fishing has been limited and only 3 active traps remain in Sicily) skewered and died quickly of a heart attack, or after a slow agony nicknamed the “dance of death”.
I cannot say that the museum is exceptional, even if they are setting up a more complete itinerary. This story, however, together with the access to the beach of Scopello, is definitely worth the price of the ticket. Take it as a moment in the shade during the hottest hours of the day.
Rates and timetables
5€ parking + 7€ access to the cove with deckchairs and museum visit
Hours from June to October: Mon – Sun
9 AM – 7 PM
Where to park
Opposite the downhill slope that leads to the Tonnara you will find a guarded parking lot on your left.
2 Arab Norman Castle – Castellammare del Golfo
The Arab-Norman castle was the first house of Castellammare del Golfo and even today it is here that you recognize the beating heart of the city.
During the summer evenings a crowd of visitors comes to its square, strolls along the avenue of the small port and forms a wave that goes up and down the steps that surround it.
Hints of history
The castle was built by the Arabs in the 10th century on a spur near the sea and connected to the mainland by a wooden drawbridge (replaced in 1500 by a masonry bridge). Enlarged by the Normans, it has seen several metamorphoses in the following centuries thanks to the Swabians, Angevins and Aragonese, who equipped it with high walls and raised the watchtowers.
Museum Pole “The Memory of the Mediterranean”
Today the castle has been restored and houses the Museum Pole “The Memory of the Mediterranean”, born in an attempt to enhance the historical, artistic and ethno-anthropological heritage of the city and its territory (in my opinion it could be improved). Inside you can visit four sections: Museum of Water and Mills, Museum of Production Activities, Archaeological Museum and Museum of Maritime Activities.
What I will certainly not forget about this visit? The spiral staircase in the shape of a shell, is a real jewel!
Rates and timetables
Free
Summer timetable: Mon – Sun
10 AM – 1 PM / 5 PM – 9PM
Winter timetable: Mon – Sun
9AM – 12PM / 3PM– 7PM
Where to park
You can park in all areas around the castle, there are also guarded parking spaces nearby.
In summer from 8 pm traffic is limited in this area and you can not access by car, you can use the free shuttle bus if you want to reach this area from the historic center.
