Philosophy
Rakalia is a haven designed to return to pure living, blending an authentic embrace of tradition and territory with a vision of ethical, sustainable, and contemporary hospitality, in harmony with the rhythms of nature. A place to rediscover the beauty of simple things and reconnect with yourself.
The term rakalia [ra-ka-lì-a] comes from the Arabic rahl, place of stay. It indicates a place for a stopover and dates back to the time of the first Arab settlement in western Sicily. Rakalia is a toponym of Arab ancestry of the sixteenth century. The name, in the form heraclia, has been known since 1131.
THE LOCATION
Nestled in the heart of the ancient lands of Marsala, RAKALIA resides in one of Western Sicily’s most captivating settings, where the ancient Carthaginian city of Lilibeo once stood, now known as the archaeological area of Capo Boeo (Lilybaeum in Roman times). Overlooking the Oriented Nature Reserve “Isole dello Stagnone di Marsala,” where the ancient Phoenician city of Mozia flourished amidst lush vineyards perfumed with the scent of salt, RAKALIA is surrounded by a kaleidoscope of changing colors mirrored by the tranquil waters and adorned with picturesque windmills.
Just a stone’s throw away from RAKALIA lies the magnificent crystal-clear waters of the Egadi Islands archipelago, renowned as the largest marine reserve in Europe.
For centuries, RAKALIA’s strategic geographical position has rendered it an ideal gateway for exploring the wonders of western Sicily. Conveniently, Trapani’s “Vincenzo Florio” airport is a mere 10 km from the hotel, ensuring seamless travel for discerning guests.
THE TERRITORY
Marsala, both poetic and historical, exudes a robust archaeological and environmental character, preserving scattered testimonials within a uniquely special geographic expanse where nature reveals itself in all its splendor. Nestled within the embrace of the Mediterranean Sea, Marsala embodies contemporary Sicily devoid of clichés, resonating in perfect harmony with its landscape and authentic traditions.
DISCOVER RAKALIA THROUGH
ARCHITECTURE
RAKALIA sprawls across an area of over 10,000 square meters, enveloped by extraordinary Mediterranean vegetation. Nestled in a region steeped in history and cultural significance, RAKALIA boasts rural stone and lime plaster architecture, emblematic of the locale, reimagined through a contemporary lens. This sensitive design, stripped to its essence, accentuates the harmony of contrasts within a project rich in nods to the past yet poised to embrace the future through deliberate ethical and sustainable choices.
Embracing a new minimalism that celebrates the essentials, RAKALIA showcases furnishings, objects, artworks, and materials of natural origin, prioritizing sustainability and recycling.
A tapestry of architecture, design, and art intertwines, weaving together new aesthetic languages, functionality, culture, and research by upcycled creators from both the region and around the world.
Each space within RAKALIA is meticulously designed with the Sun and the Wind in consideration. Outdoor paths are curated to provide an uninterrupted spectacle of light, evolving with every passing hour until sunset. The allure of the open air, synchronized with the rhythm of the seasons and nature, invites inhabitants to spaces liberated from geometric constraints, where emphasis is placed on subtraction. A deliberate intent to seamlessly integrate the outside with the inside pervades, inviting the essence of Nature to permeate the built environment.
The water in the 30-meter infinity pool embodies the enriching properties of salt from the Stagnone di Marsala salt pans. This unique point offers a panoramic view of Western Sicily’s entire coastline, along with the archipelagos of the Egadi and Stagnone islands, forming a natural crossroads of history, cultures, and peoples.
The water in the 30-metre infinity pool has the best beneficial properties of salt from the salt pans of the Stagnone di Marsala. A unique panorama in which to admire the entire coast of western Sicily and the archipelagos of the Egadi islands and the Stagnone islands, a natural crossroads of history, cultures and peoples.
THE INFINITY POOL AT RAKALIA
THE GARDEN
A contemporary garden imbued with the ancient scents of native flora, ‘Rakalia Garden’ is the result of skilled design that strategically orients it to avoid direct exposure to the prevailing winds, preserving the imperfect beauty of the untouched Mediterranean shrubland.
At Rakalia, the garden merges and intertwines, offering a chromatic and olfactory explosion that stimulates all five senses. Dominating the aesthetic are the towering wind rose palms and the warm hues of Sicilian yellow ciara, the ancient stone of the region.
THE WINE LIBRARY
Set in an environment carved directly into the ciara, a historically functional place for wine storage to maintain the right temperature and humidity, the Rakalia Wine Library is a tribute to the centuries-old oenological culture of the Trapani area, the largest vineyard province in Europe, and Marsala, the ‘City of Wine’.
The Rakalia ‘Wine Library’ is the result of a passionate search for predominantly Sicilian labels. Among the fortified wines, digestives, and meditation wines, Marsala wine stands out as an irreplaceable protagonist, perfect for tasting or meditation.
Rakalia Rooftop is the ideal place to enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the sunset, among salt dunes, windmills, and a crystal-clear sea. The sunset of Marsala is awarded fourth place among the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
The Terrace at Rakalia
Our contemporary Sicily
The beauty found in the imperfection of simple and authentic things is what guides our traveller, who loves experiencing contemporary Sicily without clichés, in perfect harmony with the territory and its authentic traditions.
