Petrosino

The history of Petrosino as an autonomous municipality of the province of Trapani began in 1980. Before this date, it was part of the Marsala territory. Petrosino and Marsala in fact share a common agricultural and wine making vocation. The countryside, in fact presents large cultivated fields, mostly with vines, with various local productions of fruit and vegetables. Passing through the fields, you will come across the typical baglio rural architectural structures, which are particularly widespread in the area between Marsala and Mazara del Vallo: these are real fortified farms, with internal courtyards which the old master’s house opens out onto. Petrosino is characterised not only by the agricultural landscape but also by its sandy coastlines (noteworthy is the Biscione beach) which in summer become popular holiday destinations.
HISTORY
According to tradition, the name comes from the Latin words sinus (gulf) and Petri (Peter), that is Gulf of Peter, alluding to the landing of the Apostle Saint Peter on the bay of Biscione. It is, however, more probable that the name comes from the Greek term petroselinon, in local dialect piddusinu, meaning parsley which is grows abundantly in the countryside. The first settlements, dating back to the mid seventeenth century, were of inland farmers who formed small villages called chiànura and of fishermen who settled on the coast of today’s village of Biscione. The town developed from the nineteenth century along the main street (today Viale Baglio Woodhouse), where, in 1813, John Woodhouse built a vineyard. The autonomy of the town dates back only to 1980, when Petrosino, town hamlet under the administrative rule of Marsala, separated from Marsala thus becoming the youngest town with its own local government in the province of Trapani.
LANDSCAPE
The Petrosino territory, with a predominantly agricultural vacation is characterised by cultivations of vines of Grillo and Catarratto grapes, typical for the production of famous Marsala wine, which extend on fertile flat terrain as far as the sea. It is the town municipality which produces the most wine in Italy with the most number of grapes per inhabitant. In 1632 the original village assumed its current configuration and the settlement was brought to perfection by the Englishman John Woodhouse with the construction of a baglio (rural fortified structure) the gateway of which became the coat of arms and the symbol of the town. The reclaiming of the land in the 1930s, following the construction of a system of closed canals which collect water and take it down into the sea, allowed the recovering of some terrains for agriculture. The agricultural landscape ends on the sandy beach which has numerous bathing areas in summer.
NATURE
Of great interest are the marshy coastland areas of Margi Spanò, Margi Milo, and Capo Feto Sites of Community importance (SCI) and areas for the Protezione Speciale degli uccelli – Important Birds Area (IBA). These natural biotopes are crucial areas for the transit of migrating birds of great importance and for some, they are ideal habitats for their survival. These are depressions, separated from the sea by a long sandy strip which are completely filled with water in winter and which in summer dry out. This phenomenon has been studied also for the presence of animal and vegetable species which are rare or in danger of extinction, like the Limonium ramosissimus siculum, the Salicornia perennis and the Asparagus acutifolius which form thorny bushes. Among the birds present in the marsh there is the curlew, the teal and, of great importance, the rare presence of the wild duck.
TRADITIONS
Every year on the 19th of March, on the occasion of the festivities for San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph), the traditional invito di San Giuseppe – invitation to Saint Joseph, is held outside the church. This is a rich lunch characterised by the offering of numerous dishes to three people: an old man, a young woman and a child representing, respectively, Saint Joseph, Mary and Jesus who are served by devoted followers at a votive altar decorated with symbolic bread. Following ancient farming traditions in August in the streets of Chianu Parrini the festa di chianura takes place, which takes its name from the term chiano, a small rural village in which farmers lived, met and celebrated festivals and banquets: it recalls moments of farming and maritime life of old, animated by local and foreign folkloristic groups and typical and cakes and pastries made from mulled wine and mustard made from grape must are prepared and offered.
RELIGION REMEMBERENCE BONDS
The numerous votive aedicules in dialect fiuredde – from the divine sacred figure that they contained inside – are the expression of a spontaneous popular religion which is shown by the lighting of candles or the decorating of the aedicules with palms, flowers, and drapes during the festivities for the Saint to which it is dedicated and during other religious celebrations. In May, solemn celebrations in honour of Maria S.S. delle Grazie, patron saint of the town take place, finishing on the 31st of the month with a heartfelt and well attended procession and the giving of the keys of the town to the simulacrum of the virgin Mary which is kept in the Mother Church. The procession in the sea with the statue of Maria Stella del Mare, on the 14th of August is suggestive. The rites of Holy Week are well participated, starting only recently on Palm Sunday and characterised by Misteri viventi which represent scenes from the passion of Christ.
MONUMENTS
The Mother Church (XVIII and XIX centuries) and the Woodhouse baglio (1813) are the two most representative monuments, the former, a religious symbol, the latter, a symbol of the wine producing culture of the territory, to which the Monumento all’uva - Monument to the grapes, realized by Franco Armato also makes reference; the Monumento al Pescatore - Monument to the Fisherman by Francesco Gennaro pays tribute to the hard work of those who go to sea. A bronze bust of the honourable Francesco De Vita (1913-1961) commemorates the great man and politician. The Sibiliana Tower and Galvaga Tower are majestic and fascinating: the first, situated on the coast was to keep a look out for pirates coming in from the sea, the other, situated inland in Ramisella district, served as a defence for the countryside and as a look out post for any eventual bandits or trouble makers. Showing the ancient tradition of wheat milling, two windmills from the XIX century, shaped like cut off cones are still standing.
MUSEUMS SCIENCE EDUCATION
At the local Scuola Media (middle school) of the Istituto Comprensivo “G. Nosengo” there is the Museo della civiltà contadina – Museum of rural civilisation, which holds the historic memories of the town, containing a patrimony of tools and objects which allow the reconstruction of the identity of the town and show the techniques and procedures linked to the activities which took place in the fields, in the craft workshops or in family households. One can imagine the work of the farmer with the plough and the various stages of the grape harvest, the transporting of the grapes in vats upon wagons and the wine making inside typical barrels. There is a kitchen complete with all its utensils and a bedroom. Some garments from the end of the 18th century, beginning of the 19th century document the type of clothes worn at that time. In Petrosino there is a private professional school for the training of ceramicists and decorators.
TYPICAL PRODUCE
There are fine works in Tuff stone extracted from the limestone quarries, which is excellent for artistic sculptures of a characteristic yellow colour and for building material. Skilled hands still make, as in the past, the nasse, traditional equipment for catching fish. There are also craft laboratories of embroidery where skilled embroiderers make real works of art following ancient methods. With great artistic skill, a company produces highly expressive shaped and decorated ceramics taking inspiration from the secular culture of Sicilian ceramics. Particularly fine are the series of pharmacy vases and the plates inspired by museum pieces. The production includes tiles with Sicilian decoration from the 16th century to today and also plates, jugs, kitchen accessories, flasks, lights, lampshades and furniture for outside and indoors.
WINE AND FOOD
The cultivation of vines and the production of wine have always represented the most important productive sector of the territory, with 70% of the agricultural land used for vines. Petrosino falls into the two D.O.C. areas of Marsala and Delia Nivolelli. On the market, the sparkling wines and table and dessert wines are also much appreciated. The cuisine of Petrosino is imaginative and mixes flavours of the sea with those of the countryside: fish couscous, pasta with sea urchins or sardines, cod ghiotta (soup), sea urchins with oil and vinegar are the main gastronomic seafood specialities; spaghetti al matarocco, pasta with broad beans, pane cunzato, fried qualeddu, snails “a picchi pacchi” are typical of the countryside cuisine. The cakes and pastries include the mostarda, the mustazzoli of mulled wine and honey, the Easter cannatuna, cubaita and pignolata.
SHOWS AND EVENTS
The summer in Petrosino is rich in events. In July and August, in piazza Biscione, musical, cabaret and theatre performances take place. Petrosino tra immagini luci e colori – Petrosino between light and colour is an event which includes exhibitions, projections of pictures of the cultural patrimony and a spectacular body painting event. During the Giornata dell’anguria – Water melon day water melons and products made from the fruit like ice-cream and mousse can be tasted. Between September and October in Petrosino the Sagra dell'uva e del vino - Grape and Wine Festival takes place, combining wine with exhibitions of various typical products, tasting, a health conference and various folkloristic events with a parade of Sicilian wagons. At carnevale (Mardi Gras) masked groups and wagons brighten the city. The poetry competition Pasquale Benigno, of national level, promotes unedited poetry in the Italian language and in dialect.
ENTERTAINMENT, SPORT AND FREE TIME
The coast of Petrosino is of extraordinary beauty and in summer attracts numerous seasonal holidaymakers. The beach on the Torazza coast, made up of a large and suggestive inlet with the limpid water of the crystalline sea, is ideal for holidays at any time of year thanks to its healthy air and mild climate. The splendid sea is perfect for sailing excursions while the great number of fish in the sea attract those who love fishing either from the coast or from a boat. On the Biscione coast there are many possibilities for scuba diving, with descents from 10 to 60 metres in depth. The sea is populated by various kinds of fish, and it is possible to admire some dolphins or a few turtles Caretta caretta laying their eggs on the beach. Basketball, bowls, male and female five-a-side football, beach tennis and beach volley tournaments animate the summer.
THE BAGLI
The fortified structures of the bagli are rural architectural buildings which are to be found all over the countryside and which characterise the territory. They are built in a dominating position in order to control the surrounding land and the various phases of the agricultural work. They have, as a characteristic element, a central courtyard around which communal life is lead. The accommodation, the stables and the storerooms open onto this courtyard, often paved in stone. Special spaces are used for grape pressing (palmentu) or olive pressing (trappitu); the highest part was the owner’s accommodation who stayed there seasonally. With the development of the wine producing activity, above all in proximity to the coast, structures similar to bagli were realized. In the urban centre is u bagghiu gnisi “ The English baglio”, so called by the locals as it was built in 1813 by John Woodhouse, an English trader who discovered the Marsala wine and exported it all over the world. In its ancient buildings the great Soleras 1815 and Waterloo 1815 were produced. In Triglia Scaletta district there is baglio Spanò, built by marquis Nicolò Spanò of Marsala between 1873 and 1882. It has a rectangular layout and is characterised by the presence of two communicating courtyards, one reserved for the owner’s family and the other for productive activity, the daily needs of the farmers and for storerooms and stables. Of the ancient baglio Marchese (XVIII century), the summer home of the marquis D'Anna from Marsala, the three corner watchtowers, are of particular interest, being unique elements of their type. Nearby is the Villa Sanuzza (second half of the XIX century) which was the first residential home of the territory.