Museum Baglio Anselmi (Marsala)

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Museo Archeologico di Baglio Anselmi – This archeological museum is accommodated inside a former wine warehouse designed by Basile. Pride of place is given to the remains of a Punic ship (3C BC) recovered in 1969 near the island of Motya. This probably consisted of a liburna, a type of fast warship (35m long) used and lost at the end of the First Punic War, in the Battle of the Egadi (241 BC). The detailed analysis of these fragments have provided valuable information on the ship-building methods practised by the Phoenicians using pre-fabricated units marked with letters. Furthermore, the metal-alloy nails used for assembling the hold have proven to be quite remarkable: after more than 2,000 years under water, they show no sign whatsoever of deterioration.

The museum also displays important artefacts relating to the historic evolution of Marsala and its surrounding area from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. Among the most interesting cases, are those devoted to Motya and to various examples of finely crafted Hellenistic jewellery found off Capo Boeo.