the fishermen village of marzamemi

the house of tuna

Marzamemi is a small fisherman village south of Siracusa, famous for its Tonnara (tuna processing factory), now abandoned, and that today has become a popular touristic site.

The little village was initially just a small port. Both byzantines and arabs have used this port during its history, but it is only during the Spanish occupation of the island starting from the 1600 that Marzamemi from a little port has become a real village. The Tonnara has always been the center of the economy of the village and one of the most important of the entire Sicily. Among others, the Tonnara has belonged to the family Nicolaci di Villadorata from Noto. Partly destroyed during the second world war, has been functioning until the 1960s, and then left abandoned, like all other tuna processing factories in Sicily.

Due to the port, Marzamemi economy has also relied on the export of the wine produced in the Pachino area (mainly Nero d'Avola). The production of salt has also been very important, due to the 2 saline (salt farms) of the village.

Due to its scenographic main square, Marzamemi is now a touristic attraction and famous for the many movies that have been done in the village (which also hosts a movie festival during summer).

The processing of tuna is still part of the economy of the village, and especially the production of bottarga, salted curated fish roe, from red tuna eggs.