Isola e Museo di Mozia (Museo Whitaker)

About the museum

Mozia, on the island of San Pantaleo in the Riserva naturale dello Stagnone di Marsala, was the oldest and most prosperous Phoenician colony in western Sicily. Founded in the 8th century BC, it flourished as a trading centre between East and West, with a city wall, temples and a “strada sommersa” (sunken road) linking it to the coast, until its destruction by Dionysius the Elder of Syracuse in 397 BC.

The museum is housed in the Palazzina Whitaker, the residence where the Whitaker family stayed during their visits to the island. It displays a wide collection of finds recovered from the excavations begun by Joseph “Pip” Whitaker, still managed today by the Fondazione Whitaker; research continues with the Università La Sapienza di Roma and the Università di Palermo. The most famous find is the Giovinetto di Mozia, a Greek statue of the 5th century BC discovered in 1979.

The visit also includes the island, a large open-air archaeological site with the Porta Nord (North Gate), the Casa dei Mosaici (House of Mosaics) and the Kothon, the ancient freshwater basin considered a sacred area by the Phoenicians. On the island, which the Whitakers enriched with exotic plants in the 19th century, the Foundation entrusted the care of the historic Grillo vineyards to the Tasca d’Almerita family in 2007.

Highlights

• Giovinetto di Mozia, a Greek statue of the 5th century BC
• Finds from the excavations of Joseph Whitaker in the Palazzina Whitaker
• Porta Nord and sunken road to the mainland
• Casa dei Mosaici with pebble floors
• Kothon, the ancient Phoenician sacred basin
• Historic Grillo vineyards on the island

Permanent exhibition

• Museo Whitaker e area archeologica di Mozia – Finds from the excavations of Mozia in the Palazzina Whitaker, including the Giovinetto di Mozia, and a route through the Phoenician island.

Operated by

Fondazione Giuseppe Whitaker

Visitors per year

approx. 50,000

Admission & discounts

The ferry to the island is not included in the ticket. Payment by card, PayPal or cash at the ticket office.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The island is partly accessible by wheelchair along the main avenues (village, museum and Casa dei Mosaici); the archaeological remains may make some areas difficult to reach. The boats are generally equipped for people with reduced mobility. The Foundation recommends contacting it in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family offers on tickets, a picnic menu for children and educational routes for schools.

Getting there & parking

Boats depart from the landing stages along the coast of the Stagnone di Marsala every 30 minutes, with a crossing of 8–12 minutes; operators: Arini e Pugliese, Laguna dello Stagnone, Saline Genna, Mamma Caura. The Foundation is not responsible for suspensions due to bad weather.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Bar on the island. Pets are allowed.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit