General

Trapani

Trapani Located in the extreme western part of Sicily it offers the visitor a varied territory and always different for landscapes and colors that make it up. The blue of the sea lapping the coastline alternating beaches with cliffs, the white of Saline, the green vineyards and olive groves, the inland countryside and protected areas, the ocher yellow of the Greek temples and monuments, the red sunsets. Along the shore adjacent to the city and then gradually along the coast, up to Marsala, heaps of salt are white along the shore, guarded by windmills, with their big blades, stand out against the sea like fantastic monsters. small town in its sea cradle Trapani hide their treasures to show them only to those who can appreciate them. On its shores they are alternated many more or less fantastic populations beginning with the Cyclops, the helmets, the Trojans, the Phoenicians. Subsequently, the center becomes even more important with the Carthaginians that make it one of the most important city in western Sicily. The Normans concentrated in it the industrial activities of coral and gold and giving it the character of seafaring town devoted to fishing and trade. Among the monuments that stand out for their beauty there is the 1635 Cathedral of S. Lorenzo, with a special baroque facade and a three nave interior rich in precious paintings; the church of S. Maria del Gesù, built in the sixteenth century, with a facade built in Gothic-Renaissance style and a more gothic side, with an Annunciation by Catalan Gothic School. In the district of the old ghetto you are located on the Giudecca Palazzo, also called “the Spedaletto”, typical Catalan architecture with blocks cut with a diamond tip that cover a large part of the facade. To do in Trapani is the sanctuary of the Annunciation which has a facade of four very well preserved with a central rosette.

Erice It stands on top of a lonely mountain, which dominates Trapani, the valley and the mare.Uno the firmest eyes of the Mediterranean. It is not easy to explain through comparisons the emotional intensity that the sunset, seen from the summit, knows to donate. Changing colors are reflected on the sea, the sunset behind the Egadi islands, the glare of the salt crystals of the ancient salt, the legendary sickle shape of the city of Trapani, everything seems to sparkle dusk. In particularly clear days, the horizon line gives us the extraordinary view to the west of the African coast and north-east over Mount Hood, of ?? island of Ustica surprisingly close. But the view knows lost the western hinterland of the island, through the plains of Trapani and Marsala and Val di Mazara, all to the hills of Agrigento. Among all the Sicilian resorts, Erice is the most fascinating for its enchanting places and for its various fascinating traditions. It lies at the summit of Mount San Giuliano dominating Trapani by a fabulous view. Its origins are ancient and mysterious, shrouded in legend. On the summit it was built first only a temple, dedicated to a female deity from the fertile nature. It was always venerated by all Mediterranean peoples and her main concern was to protect sailors who far away noticed the fire that burned in the sacred building and that served also from guideline. Soon there was a dispute fortress built by Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians. In Roman times Erice is particularly important because its sanctuary was put in charge of a religious confederation of 17 cities and the time of Tiberius and Claudius the temple was restored. With the Arab conquest the fortress takes on new importance and even more so with the Normans. In 1934 the city summarizes the ancient name of Erice. It is enjoying exceptional insulation position that has enabled it to preserve its medieval aspect with its cobbled stone streets, steep hills, the picturesque houses, flower-filled courtyards to the Arab way and the incomparable beauty of the landscape. The most important monument in Erice is the fourteenth-century Church of the 1314 Matrix flanked by an imposing bell tower with graceful mullioned windows and battlements. The charm of its ancient history and its beautiful landscape, Erice adds the advantages of its healthy climate and pleasant: the pine forests create a fresh atmosphere that makes the town a tourist health resort. Erice is a place rich in features shops: finely decorated ceramics and hand-woven rugs. It also has the possibility to taste typical gastronomy Dolci di Badia, made with almonds and candied fruit paste The “Genoese”.

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