Country: Italy
Region: Sicily
TIme of visit: June 2021
Duration of visit: 2 hours
My rating: 8/10
Another short stop on our trip to south-eastern Sicily was Marzamemi; let me say "wow!".
Marzamemi (another exotic typically Sicilian toponym, like Scicli, over which toponymy experts have been struggling for some time) is a small town in the south-east of Sicily, where the main activity has always been fishing, in particular fishing of tuna. Tuna fishing has left evident historical traces because all the centuries-old structures that make up the historic area of Marzamemi are linked to the production of salt (used for preserves) and to the processing of tuna.
In recent times Marzamemi has become a tourist attraction because the ancient area, made up of low and picturesque stone buildings, has been redeveloped to become a small Disneyland for catering. The place is truly enchanting and arriving at sunset, among the floral decorations, the ancient alleys, the colorful wooden tables, it really seems to be in an old film with Sophia Loren or in some scene from Lady and the Tramp. Arriving at the last moment we randomly chose a place that turned out to be a pleasant discovery: Sicily Take Away; In spite of the name, which would suggest a junk food place of dubious quality, the cuisine is instead of very high quality (among the dishes we tasted, an amazing "fried sushi" and a delicious mussel soup).
I highly recommend a visit to Marzamemi, for an aperitif or dinner, in order to enjoy a Sicily "straight out of a postcard" meeting the expectations (perhaps a little stereotyped) that any tourist has before landing at the foot of Etna. Having made this necessary premise (I repeat: Marzamemi is enchanting), however, I feel obliged to also express a doubt: Marzamemi is the result of a clever redevelopment work, but also a missed opportunity; if instead of a consumerist paradise where every evening thousands of tourists are seated at tables and fed in a bulimic ritual that is always renewed the same, night after night, this small charming village had been destined, why not, partly for catering and partly for the cultural offer (I am thinking of concerts, exhibitions, theatrical performances), what a splendid combination that would have been! Maybe I am too fussy but, despite the satisfaction for an enchanting evening and a delicious dinner, walking through the alleys of Marzamemi I seemed to glimpse the ghosts of Marco Ferreri's Grande Bouffe among the tables... and I'm not one to back down from good food...
In any case, no more melancholy and intellectual speculation: Marzamemi is a "must visit" place for a romantic dinner and a truly italian experience.
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