One island, three coasts, one root.

The Antico Mercato: the heart of Vinacria's first events

It was within the historic walls of Marsala's Antico Mercato, in the living heart of the city, that the first Vinacria events came to life. A unique, vibrant place where food and wine culture, the vitality of the land and the story of wine first came together.

Today a daily destination for buying fresh fish and the finest local fruit and vegetables, this iconic space holds within its stones a fascinating centuries-old history, closely tied to the city's urban and social evolution.

A dive into history: from the Spanish garrison to city life

Adjacent to the Palazzo dei Pubblici Uffici, the Antico Mercato is an integral part of an imposing, austere city block. Its construction began in 1576 and was completed in 1591 for a very specific purpose: to house the Spanish troops and garrison.

In the years before, billeting soldiers in private homes had caused serious violence and destruction, even triggering a terrible epidemic. Once the epidemic had passed, the community decided to build a self-contained military quarter to avoid the disastrous mixing of troops and residents, many of whom had abandoned the city.

Designed on a scale large enough to stable as many as 400 horses, the complex has passed through more than four centuries of change, evolving from a defensive outpost into a lively hub of city life and a keeper of Marsala's identity.