Lilibeo, Marsala, Italy - SpottingHistory

Lilibeo or Lilybaion was originally a Carthaginian city founded around 397 BCE. It became soon a dynamic trade and handicraft centre. In the Hellenistic period it was a multiethnic town where Punic, Greek and Roman people lived together.

After a long siege, it was subdued by the Romans in the first Punic war in 241 BCE. Cicero mentioned Lilibeo in 76-75 BCE as a 'magnificient town'. During the age of Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 AD) it was the seat of flourishing Christian community.

Vandals led by Genseric devastated Lilibeo in 440. However, it was still one of the most important cities of Sicily in the early Middle Ages. Later Arabs named the city as Marsah Allah, meaning 'the harbor of God'. This is why the city is today called Marsala.

Today you can visit on a Lilibeo Archaeological Park, which exhibits the Insulae with its mosaics, Roman baths, fortifications and findings.

User Reviews

Katja P (3 years ago)
The staff was very unfriendly to us, as non Italians. They did not even say hello when we came in and didn't even try to help us understand anything. We felt like a burdon to them, disrupting their coffee break. The museum is modern from the inside, but a disaster from the outside. We would not recommend it to anyone.

Domenico Milillo (3 years ago)
L'abbiamo visitato a fine Giugno 2021, e confermiamo quanto già recensito da altri: vi sono reperti archeologici di notevole interesse all'interno del museo - a parte le navi che la fanno da padrone, avete visto la tessera di scambio?? - mentre il parco esterno è purtroppo lasciato a se stesso, e meriterebbe ben altra considerazione. Personale di servizio molto disponibile e gentile.

giuseppe enrico (4 years ago)
Must be developed

Roberto Mercanti (4 years ago)
The exhibits are beautiful, but dirty and poorly maintained

giuseppe enrico (4 years ago)
Must be developed

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Kakesbeck Castle

Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.

The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.

Lilibeo

Address

Details

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historical Gems of Costa Verde

Historic Site of the week

Kakesbeck Castle