Marinella
Marinella di Selinunte: a small seaside village in Sicily
Marinella di Selinunte is a small hamlet of Castelvetrano, a city located in the free communal consortium of Trapani, in Sicily. With a population of just over 1000 inhabitants, Marinella is a seaside locality located about 13 kilometers from the center of Castelvetrano. In this article, we will discover more about the geography, history, monuments, traditions, and images of this charming Sicilian coastal locality.
Physical Geography
Territory
The territory of Marinella is mainly composed of sandy and crystalline beaches. The locality overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and enjoys a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Selinunte. Marinella, along with nearby Triscina, is one of the two coastal hamlets of Castelvetrano.
Hydrography
Two rivers flow into the beaches of Marinella: the Modione River and the Belice River. The latter is particularly important, as it has also given its name to the nearby Belice River Natural Reserve.
History
The settlement of Marinella was founded at the end of the nineteenth century as a fishing port. Fishing is still practiced there with small fishing boats serving tourist activities, and every day the local fish market takes place in Piazza Empedocle. For the past few years, Marinella and nearby Triscina have often been cited as examples of building abuse. However, in the last decade, the phenomenon has been stopped, and from 2018 a process of restoration of the coastline has been initiated, thanks to the demolition of dozens of abusive buildings.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Archaeological Sites
Marinella is located near the archaeological area of Selinunte, an ancient Greek city founded in 650 BC by Megarean settlers. The archaeological site is one of the most important in Sicily and includes several temples and ruins of historic buildings.
Religious Architecture
The Church of the Sacred Heart of Mary is the most important religious building in Marinella. Located in the center of the hamlet, the church is a point of reference for many locals.
Natural Areas
The Belice River Natural Reserve and adjacent dunes is one of the most spectacular natural areas in Marinella. Established in 1984, the reserve was created to promote the conservation and rediscovery of the dune formations, flora, and fauna typical of the area.
Society
Traditions and Folklore
Religious Traditions
The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Mary is a religious celebration that takes place on the penultimate Sunday of August. During the festival, a procession is held on the sea.
Festival of Pyrotechnic Arts
The Festival of Pyrotechnic Arts takes place on Sundays in August and consists of a competition/exhibition among fireworks producers.
Images
<gallery widths=250> File:Marinella di Selinunte.jpg|View of Marinella File:Foce fiume belice.JPG|Belice River </gallery>Conclusions
Marinella di Selinunte is a small Sicilian seaside locality that combines the natural beauty of the Mediterranean Sea with the millennial history of the Selinunte archaeological area. Despite the phenomenon of building abuse, Marinella is trying to recover its original beauty, thanks to the demolition of abusive buildings. The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Mary and the Festival of Pyrotechnic Arts are just some of the events that animate the social life of this hamlet of Castelvetrano. If you are looking for a destination for a beach holiday in Sicily, Marinella di Selinunte could be the right choice for you.
