Photo Gallery Mothia

Mothia

Mothia

Marsala (TP)

Motya, or Mothia, was the most important Phoenician-Punic town in West-Sicily, built on a small island in front of the coast. It had a large industrial quarter and in punic times was surrounded by a city wall and city gates to defend itself against the attacks of the Greek tyrants of Sicily.

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The island of Motya (San Pantaleo) can only be reached by boat, crossing the shallow waters of the Stagnone of Marsala. Motya (Mozia) is a Phoenician-Punic site in Sicily, important for it's artigian production until it was destroyed by the Greek tyrants of Syracuse.The island of Motya (San Pantaleo) can only ...
The house of the mosaics (Casa dei Mosaici). The oldest phase is from the sixth century BC built in opus punicum. In the middle the mosaics are still more or less intact.The house of the mosaics (Casa dei Mosaici). ...
This mosaic in the Casa dei Mosaici is of the third century BC. The style is inspired on the Greek architecture (hellenized Punic).This mosaic in the Casa dei Mosaici is ...
A winged griffon attacking a horse in La Casa dei Mosaici. A winged griffon attacking a horse in La ...
The Casa dei Mosaici, a view of the structures of the left side built in north-african style (opus africanum or opus punicum).The Casa dei Mosaici, a view of the ...
Overview of the Casa dei Mosaici. In the background the remaining mosaics.Overview of the Casa dei Mosaici. In the ...
The Casermetta, built externally to the walls. The standing stones with signs of doors and windows are still intact. The walls have been erected all around the island.The Casermetta, built externally to the walls. The ...
Detail of the doorway of the Casermetta.Detail of the doorway of the Casermetta.
A view of the walls of the Casermetta in opus africanum. This building style is originally north african and was used well into the byzantine period in the early middle ages.A view of the walls of the Casermetta ...
The stairs at the Casermetta.The stairs at the Casermetta.
The southgate of Motya that overlooks the Stagnone of MarsalaThe southgate of Motya that overlooks the Stagnone ...
View from the southern gate of Motya, the Stagnone di Marsala with in the background the cape Lilibaeum and Marsala.View from the southern gate of Motya, the ...
The South gate, looking towards the area adiacent to the Cothon. The South gate, looking towards the area adiacent ...
The South gate and a part of the perimeter wall (temenos) of the sanctuary adiacent to the Cothon excavated in the past years.The South gate and a part of the ...
The foundations of the sanctuary excavated in recent yearsThe foundations of the sanctuary excavated in recent ...
A view of the sanctuary adiacent to the Cothon.A view of the sanctuary adiacent to the ...
The entrance of the Cothon of Motya. Similar to the harbours of Carthage it was considered by archaeologists an inner harbour for ships. In later medieval times it would have also been used to produce salt. Nowadays the waters are very shallow and the sea does not enter it anymore in the summer. The entrance of the Cothon of Motya. Similar ...
The Cothon after the first rains in september 2006. To the right the archeological excavations of a temple structure not yet ready.The Cothon after the first rains in september ...
A view on the Cothon and the distant cape of Marsala. On the left the southern gate.A view on the Cothon and the distant ...
Another view of the entrance of the Cothon and the canal connecting it to the sea. During the summer the entrance lies completely dry.Another view of the entrance of the Cothon ...
Detail of the entrance of the Cothon. Probably the basin could be closed with a wooden structure at some time in it's historyDetail of the entrance of the Cothon. Probably ...
It can also be that the Cothon at some time was closed almost completely for the saltwinning. Others believe it was used as a kind of shipdock. Recent theories link the cothon to the sanctuary.It can also be that the Cothon at ...
The Cothon in 2012 in may, filled with water. In the background the sanctuary.The Cothon in 2012 in may, filled with ...
The Cothon and the sanctuary in may 2012.The Cothon and the sanctuary in may 2012.
The temenos, the wall that surrounds the Cothon and the sanctuary.The temenos, the wall that surrounds the Cothon ...
The perimeter wall on the other side of the CothonThe perimeter wall on the other side of ...
The Casa del sacello domestico, housing structure of the 4th century BC with a bathroom and a small chapel (sacello).The Casa del sacello domestico, housing structure of ...
Excavated living quarters of the 5th century BC, a street runs downhill to the coast.Excavated living quarters of the 5th century BC, ...
Housing structures that have been excavated and named the house of the amphorae because of the many amphorae found.Housing structures that have been excavated and named ...
The area of the house of the amphoraeThe area of the house of the amphorae
An excavated area with housing structures that had not been cleaned up. In the foreground a house structure facing a street.An excavated area with housing structures that had ...
The area of the northwest gate with probably a small sanctuary adiacent to the gate. In the background the Egadian islands.The area of the northwest gate with probably ...
Structures of the northwest gate.Structures of the northwest gate.
The tophet of Mothia is located on the north side of the island and has been excavated.The tophet of Mothia is located on the ...
The area of the tophet of Mothia.The area of the tophet of Mothia.
An impression of the tophet at Motya, here a large number of stelae were found during excavations, now on display at the museum and outside.An impression of the tophet at Motya, here ...
Urns and stelae on display, this is how they were found in situ. The urns contained rmains of children and animals.Urns and stelae on display, this is how ...
The north side of Motya. To the left the path lead to the tophet where in 2006 excavations were going on. The stagnone of Marsala with the long island and in the background the Egadian islands Favignana (left) and Levanzo (right)The north side of Motya. To the left ...
The necropolis of Motya, in use from the 8th to 6th century BC. At that time there were no walls around the island and the Phoenician colony was much smaller.The necropolis of Motya, in use from the ...
The necropolis of Motya. These stone casing contained the ashes of the cremated Phoenicians.The necropolis of Motya. These stone casing contained ...
Part of a sarcophage in the necropolis of Motya. In the foreground cist graves, made of slabs of stone containing an urn with cremated remains.Part of a sarcophage in the necropolis of ...
The north side of the island of Motya with the excavated industrial area near the townwalls. The north side of the island of Motya ...
An overview of Zona K, the artisan workshops and ovens, near the north gates of Mothia.An overview of Zona K, the artisan workshops ...
Excavations of the industrial area of Mothia, covered to protect the excavations from rain and wind.Excavations of the industrial area of Mothia, covered ...
A sandstone object retrieved in the industrial area of MotyaA sandstone object retrieved in the industrial area ...
Part of the industrial zone. One of the finds was an oven to bake ceramics.Part of the industrial zone. One of the ...
A sign explains the complex architectural remains of the various periods in this area called the Cappiddazzu sanctuary. The oldest remains date back to the 7th century BC, the last building was a byzantine church which has been demolished to excavate the area.A sign explains the complex architectural remains of ...
The Cappiddazzu. A sanctuary that has been in use from the Phoenician until the Byzantine times, with various stratifications of structures. The oldest parts have been dated to the seventh century BC.The Cappiddazzu. A sanctuary that has been in ...
Floor of probable Byzantine origin which has been preserved in part in situ. It was a mosaic floor with white and black stone.Floor of probable Byzantine origin which has been ...
Overview of the central part of the Cappiddazzu sanctuary.Overview of the central part of the Cappiddazzu ...
Detail of the Cappiddazzu at Motya. The function is unknown.Detail of the Cappiddazzu at Motya. The function ...
A detail of the sanctuary of the Cappiddazzu.A detail of the sanctuary of the Cappiddazzu.
Area with building next to the Cappiddazzu. It is known that in Motya there was a rich production also of purple dying.Area with building next to the Cappiddazzu. It ...
Houses and artisans workshops near the northgate. In Motya there was a large industrial sector at work.Houses and artisans workshops near the northgate. In ...
The north gate. This largest of city gates gave access to the road that passed through the Stagnone to the mainland. In the background the mountain of Eryx where once the sanctuary dedicated to Astarte could be found.The north gate. This largest of city gates ...
The access to the northern gate of Motya was a double carriage road.The access to the northern gate of Motya ...
The gates closed on each lane separately. Here the rightside of the gates. Note the stones that served to bear the wooden doors.The gates closed on each lane separately. Here ...
Detail of the stones that served for the gates of Motya.Detail of the stones that served for the ...
The right lane of the citygates of Motya.The right lane of the citygates of Motya.
The left side of the gates of Motya. Ahead the main gate in the walls leading to the road.The left side of the gates of Motya. ...
The left lane of the city gates of MothiaThe left lane of the city gates of ...
The main gate in the walls of Motya.The main gate in the walls of Motya.
The main gate and a view of the mountain of Erice in the background.The main gate and a view of the ...
On each side of the main gate large walls and towers protected the gate and the town.On each side of the main gate large ...
A detail of the outer walls near the northgate of MotyaA detail of the outer walls near the ...
A sign explains that in front of the northern gate the remains of two small sanctuaries have been found. Near the gate was the port where merchants loaded and unloaded their ships.A sign explains that in front of the ...
The direction of the submerged punic road that connected the island to the main land near Birgi. The road has been marked by stones. From satellite pictures the road is clearly visible.The direction of the submerged punic road that ...
The area of the gates seen from the side.The area of the gates seen from the ...
These structures can be found next to the northern gate and are part of the industrial area.These structures can be found next to the ...
The eastern tower in the walls of Motya with the still preserved staircase.The eastern tower in the walls of Motya ...
The eastern tower of the townwalls of Motya.The eastern tower of the townwalls of Motya.
The eastern walls of the town, returning to the museumThe eastern walls of the town, returning to ...
Excavations in one of the houses on Motya that served for the wine production. There are still vineyards on Motya but the grapes are now brought ashore.Excavations in one of the houses on Motya ...
Detail of the winecellar with the excavated floors.Detail of the winecellar with the excavated floors.
The entrance to the Museum Whitaker where a large collection of Punic and Phoenician antiquities are shown to the public, almost all fins from Mozia and LilybaeumThe entrance to the Museum Whitaker where a ...

Address: Isola San Pantaleo, ferry for visitors departs from the Saline di Ettore Infersa

Openingtimes: summer 09:30 - 18:30 (april through october), winter 09:00 - 15:00

Prices: Euro 9,00 (students Euro 5,00 and groups Euro 6,00) excluding ferry

Web site: Fondazione Whitaker
University of Rome "La Sapienza"

The information has been updated for 2016 but prices and opening hours may vary.

Last updated 20/03/2020

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