Mediterranean

With the typical southern Mediterranean weather (rarely cold winters and warm and ventilated summers), Trapani is the perfect destination that gathers history, architecture, art and nature with beautiful beaches and a crystal-clear sea.
It's in a flat zone which spreads til the sea. It ends with two sides, one where there is the Tower of Ligny, built in 1671, from which you can admire the Egadi Islands.

The origins

It was probably funded by Elymians, a population who lived in Sicily in prehistory, during which Eryx (Erice), was one of the main centers. The geographical position, the view on the sea, and the river made it an important commercial pole.

The Punic influence

Trapani has always been an ally of Carthago and, in 260 b.C. Amilcare, arrived in Sicily, improved the walls and built the Castello della Terra, the Torre Pali and the Torre Peliade. This made the city grow in terms of inhabitants, which took shelter and safety from the enemies' attacks.

The Roman conquest

After the Carthaginian, the Romans conquered the territory, after the victory in the battle of the Egadi Islands. A dark period started for the city, which flourished again only in the Middle Ages. The invasions of Vandals first and then the Arab domination didn't make Trapani rise: it gained its importance back only with Normans, who made it one of the most important harbors in the Mediterranean Sea again.

Trapani nowadays

The main area of the city is still the harbor, very close to the historical center. The harbor offers a direct transfer to the Egadi Islands. A walk among the streets of the center will allow you to admire the churches and the palaces from 1600, the big complex of Annunziata, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Palazzo Riccio, Palazzo Senatorio, Palazzo Milo and the Badia Nuova.

Complesso dell'Annunziata

The Church and the Monastery, courtyards and libraries make it one of the old and most fascinating complex in the city. In 1200, there was only a chapel that was inglobed in the bigger project. The gothic facade is the original one, but the interior, during the XVIII century, has been renewed in the typical style of that era. The aisle is decorated with different chapels dedicated to sailors, fishermen, San Giuseppe, Santa Teresa, the patron Sant'Alberto and the one "de i Mercadanti".

Cathedral of San Lorenzo

It deserves a visit. It was built thanks to Alfonso il Magnanimo on an existing church, around 1300.
When in 1844, the city of Trapani was hosting a bishop, the church became the Cathedral. Outside, there is a beautiful porch with three arches, which are supported by two big columns.
On both sides there are two big bell towers. Inside there is a latin cross plant and three aisles.

Palazzo Riccio

One of the most fascinating streets of the city is Via Garibaldi, which is full of palaces and churches, where there is Palazzo Riccio di Morana, Palazzo Senatorio and Badia Nuova. Among the most beautiful palaces: Palazzo Riccio used to be bigger than what we see today. The facade has a series of statues which represent the virtues: Fame, Prudence, Pity, Charity, Melancholy, Abbundance and Strength.
Other small statues are present, which represent some members of the family.

Palazzo Senatorio

The Palace closes the scenic Via Garibaldi and it was built in 1672 thanks to Giacomo Cavarreta: nowadays it's the Town Hall. Its facade is carved with columns and statues, but also two big clocks. The Tower with the clock was built in 1200.

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