Boutique Stay Hospitality
Petrosino - Sicily
About Petrosino (TP)
Petrosino – Of Sea and Wine
Petrosino, a small town on the far western edge of Sicily with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, became independent from Marsala in the 1980s, after long being one of its districts. In the 19th century, Petrosino played a pivotal role in the history of the Woodhouse family, merchants from Liverpool who discovered the fortified wine “Marsala” and exported it across the world. This celebrated wine, named after the neighboring town of Marsala, is only a 15-minute drive from Petrosino’s historic center.
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The town takes its name from parsley, the aromatic herb found in countless Sicilian dishes and growing abundantly in the area. Its Latin name Petroselinum crispum derives from the Greek πÎτρος Σελινοῦς, and in the Sicilian dialect “pitrusinu” still preserves the connection between the plant and the village itself.
Petrosino is among the Italian towns with the largest extension of vineyards and is considered the country’s leading wine-producing municipality in terms of per capita grape cultivation. This distinction makes it unique within the Italian winemaking landscape. The most prominent grape varieties are Grillo and Catarratto, essential to the production of Marsala wine. Thanks to its geographical position, many vineyards lie close to the coast, creating a landscape of striking beauty.
Every sense is awakened in this land: the tastes, from savory to sweet; the fragrance of orange blossoms; the salt of the sea; the scent of oranges and lemons; the gentle sound of waves; and the wind that sweeps through, shaping the character of this place.
Petrosino’s beaches — Torrazza, Biscione, and Sibiliana — remain largely untouched, offering visitors the chance to enjoy unspoiled nature, as most are free from private establishments. Among the symbols of Petrosino’s heritage stands the Woodhouse Baglio, once the residence of the Woodhouse family, whose main entrance eventually became an emblem of the town itself.
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Its strategic location makes Petrosino an ideal base for exploring western Sicily: Marsala (10 km), Mazara del Vallo (10 km), Trapani (35 km), Erice (50 km), San Vito Lo Capo (85 km), Castellammare del Golfo (85 km), and Palermo (140 km). The two main airports of the island are also easily accessible: Trapani–Birgi (TPS) and Palermo International Airport (PMO). From the nearby port of Marsala, one can reach the famous Egadi Islands (Favignana, Marettimo, and Levanzo) and Pantelleria (sometimes even visible on clear days from the coast), either by hydrofoil or by private boat.The natural heritage of western Sicily includes the Stagnone Islands Nature Reserve of Marsala, where the centuries-old tradition of sea salt harvesting is still alive. Marsala also holds a special place in Italian history: it was here, on May 11, 1860, that Garibaldi and his Thousand landed, setting in motion the chain of battles and uprisings that would lead to the fall of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the unification of Italy the following year.Across the region, one can admire baroque architecture carved in tufa stone, dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, adorning historic palaces and churches. A notable example is the Cathedral of Marsala, the Mother Church of Saint Thomas of Canterbury. Not far away, the Zingaro Nature Reserve, near San Vito Lo Capo (about 90 km from Petrosino), remains one of Sicily’s most pristine coastal treasures.
