Beyond the Phoenicians

The many populations who dominated over the island have improved the fishing techniques until they made fishing the primary activity on the island

Phoenicians organized a maritime center, where besides fishing people used to clean the fish, too. The tradition was kept with the Greeks and Byzantins, while the arabs improved the fishing with the installation of fixed nets, which were guiding the tuna to the final chambers

During the centuries, in Sicily, tonnare were expanded and new ones were built. Even though nowadays they are not used as much as in the past, they still represent wonderful monuments of industrial architecture.

Tonnare in Syracuse

Thanks to its strategic geographical positions, in the area of Syracuse a lot of tonnare were built. All of them are not active nowadays, but you can visit them. Below you can find a list.

Tonnara of Vendicari

Nowadays it's an archeological monument, but in the past it was very important to Sicilian economy. Also known as Bafutu, it was built in '700. During the last century, it lived its golden age, as it was renewed in 1914. It was later closed in 1943, because of anglo-american troops. Nowadays, every building has been rebuit thanks to superintendence of Syracuse.

Tonnara of Marzamemi

It is located in the ancient Marzamemi and it's one of the oldes in Sicily. Its origin is unkown, probably it was built by Arabs in the year 1000, and it became the most important Tonnara in Eastern Sicily. Its name comes from Arabic, "Marsa al hamem" and it means "bay of turtledoves". The lodge, which is the space that was used to recover big ships, is located on the old harbor of fishermen and it faces the sea. Nowadays, it has become part of a complex that hosts luxury events.

Tonnara of Capo Passero

Its origin dates back to the Middle Ages, but the tonnara reaches its maximum activity in 1750. It was closed during the whole 1800, but it was reopened and it stopped its activity in 1969. During time, the tonnara has been expanded in order to allow everyone to work. It is a beautiful monument of industrial archeology and it is located in South-East of Sicily.

Tonnara of Avola

It currently belongs to Loreto family. The structure tells a story of work and sacrifice, of a flourishing maritime economy and of the strong link between Sicilian people and sea. Nowadays it hosts a boat club and it is well kept. The original structure was of 5000 square meters, with many storages. Next to the complex, there is a church that dates back to 1700.

For more information here.

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