Perhaps you’ve heard of Palermo’s Arsenale della Real Marina. It stands as a testament to the city’s rich maritime history. From 1630 to 1943, this was a bustling naval hub. Today, it’s a museum, a window into a world of shipbuilding and maritime traditions.
Let’s step back to the early 17th century. The city’s first arsenal was near Piazza Fonderia. It served royal galleys. But Palermo’s port expanded. A new molo was built. So the arsenal needed a new, larger home. The old arsenal became a foundry for artillery. It was known as Real Fonderia alla Cala.
Construction began in 1621. The Palermitan architect Mariano Smiriglio designed the new Arsenale della Real Marina. It took about nine years to complete. In 1630, under the rule of King Philip IV of Spain, the Arsenale was finished. An inscription on the facade commemorates this. It reads that under the auspices of Philip IV, the naval armamentarium was completed in the year of Redemption, 1630.
The Arsenale della Real Marina’s design is quite striking. The main facade has two stories. The other three sides have only one. Four large vaulted bays face the sea. These bays once housed ships under construction or repair. Warehouses surrounded these bays. The upper floor held offices and admiralty apartments. In front were four slipways for launching ships. Sadly, these are now gone.
Until about 1770, the Arsenale built warships for the Real Marina. Later, they focused on merchant ships. Polacche, feluccas, and rowing boats were common. They even built sardare and alalongare. These were specialized boats for fishing sardines and tuna. The Arsenale continued building ships until 1797. The last ship built here was the Archimede. It was a merchant ship for Sommariva. Cannon-equipped boats were still regularly built during this time.
The Arsenale also housed activities of the Royal Artillery Corps. A decree in 1815 assigned staff to the Arsenale. This included storekeepers, assistants, and controllers. They managed arms and equipment.
In 1816, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was formed. The Arsenale lost its original purpose. It became a place of detention. After Italy’s unification, it briefly served as a post office. Later, it became a barracks for the Guardia di Finanza.
Bombardments in 1943 severely damaged the Arsenale. The rear part and a small church were destroyed. Restoration work followed. In 1999, the building reopened. It became offices for the Superintendency of the Sea. It also became a museum. The Museo del Mare manages the site.
Today, the Museo del Mare is divided into five sections. There is a historical section with Bourbon-era cannons. A photographic section documents Via del Molo’s history. Another section displays maritime traditions and objects like fishing nets and foghorns. Marine engines are also on display. Finally, there is a section of naval models. These include scale models of Sicilian military xebecks, galleys, and cannon boats.
You can also see portolans here. These are original books with technical information. They guided ships safely into various ports. The Arsenale della Real Marina offers a fascinating glimpse into Palermo’s naval past. It showcases the craftsmanship and maritime heritage of this vibrant city.