Agrigento Guide

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© Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism © 2005 Netplan srl. All rights reserved. All material on this document is © Netplan. © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism Photos courtesy of: AAPIT Agrigento and APT Trapani THE AGRIGENTO CITY GUIDE 1

Summary

THINGS TO KNOW

3 Getting there 4 History and culture

THINGS TO SEE

5 Churches and Museums 7 Valley of the Temples

THINGS TO TRY

9 Eating and Drinking 10 Shopping 11 Hotels and lodgings

THINGS TO EXPERIENCE

12 Events

ITINERARIES

14 Beaches, marinas and nature reserves 15 The Etruscan coast 16 Volterra and Val di Cecina

connections to other destinations in Sicily the Arab and Norman occupations. In the 9th are scarce. If you are arriving from Taormina century, the Arabs built a new city, which still or Catania, you will have to change trains stands today as both medieval and modern once or twice. For train schedules, consult Agrigento. In 1087, they were succeeded by Trenitalia’s website, or call their toll-free the Norman occupation. With the construction number: 89 20 21. The best way to arrive of numerous churches, the Normans gave new and depart to and from Agrigento is by bus, life to the Christian arts and culture. The which leaves from the Piazza Rosselli station fortifications they built defended Agrigento (Tourist Information +39.0922.20391). from the incursions of Saracen pirates. The 18th century marked another cardinal By plane: Palermo Airport (PMO) offers moment for the history of the city: the direct flights from all major Italian airports, flowering of the baroque period in Agrigento, and low-cost connections with European evident today in nearly all the churches in the cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Köln, city. In the following years, the city suffered London, and others. From the airport, the under the ill-governing of the Bourbons, as did shuttle train “Trinacria Express” leaves about all of Sicily, until 1860, when Sicily officially every half hour from Palermo Central Station, linked itself with the Kingdom of Italy. The with many trains going to Agrigento (about a 20th century marked the advent of chaotic 2 hour trip). There is also a bus service which construction development in the city, which runs from the airport directly to Agrigento, has threatened the very integrity of the Agrigento: the Temple of the Dioscuri operated by SAL (Phone: +39.0922.401360). Mazara del Vallo: Regional Archeological Museum archeological zone. An alternative is the International Airport of Agrigento lies along the south coast of Sicily, Catania (CTA) which offers connections with The history of Agrigento begins in 581 connected to the rest of the island by an all the major Italian and European airports, b.C., when it was founded under the name extensive network of streets and by rail. including all the capital cities. SAIS Trasporti of Akragas by a group of Greek colonists. operates a bus service running directly from The city reached the height of its splendor By car: from Taormina, take the Autostrada the airport to Agrigento (about a 2.5 hour in the 5th century B.C. under the tyrant A18 for Catania. Continue on the A19 toward trip). Tenore, who extended his dominion out to the Palermo and take the Caltanissetta exit. northern coasts of Sicily. During this period, Continue on Statale 640 until you reach art and culture were intensely pursued in the Agrigento. From Palermo, take Autostrada A19 city. It was in this period that the temple of toward Catania, and exit at Villabate. Follow Olympian Zeus was constructed, as well most Statale 121 and continue for 118 km until of the other temples, rendering Agrigento, you reach Agrigento. From Siracusa, follow according to the Greek poet Pindaro, “The the coastal route on Statale 115 via Noto, most beautiful among the dwellings of Ragusa and Gela until you reach Agrigento. mortals.” The year 406 was a tragic one in the If you are coming from continental Italy, history of Agrigento: the city was defeated take Autostrada A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria, by Hannibal and the Carthaginians, who and exit at Villa San Giovanni, then take the completed destroyed the city. Agrigento was ferryboat for Messina. From Messina, take the refounded in the 4th century by the statesman Autostrada A18 for Catania. Continue on the and general Timoleon. During this period, A19 toward Catania-Palermo and take the the new Hellenic quarter was constructed, Caltanissetta exit. Continue on Statale 640 signaling the grand rebirth of Hellenistic art until you reach Agrigento. and culture in Agrigento, until 210 B.C., when the city came under Roman rule. By train: Agrigento has a train station, but After the fall of Imperial Rome, the city did except for Palermo (about 2 hours away), not return to its former splendor until after

unﬁnished bell tower, which is embellished and her stepson Hippolitus, who was exiled or by a richly decorated balcony. The inside, killed by order of Phaedra because he did not divided in three naves, is a triumph of baroque return her love. decoration. But perhaps most impressive is the wood ceiling, richly adorned so that it Pirandello’s House appears to be a hanging garden. Make sure to South of Agrigento and the Valley of the visit the chapel of San Gerlando, in the right Temples, lies the birthplace of the playwright transept. Pirandello. The house has been converted into a museum, preserving both written and The Church of Santo Spirito graphic materials: family photos, portraits of is a Cistercian convent, constructed in 1260, the writer, theatrical images, manuscripts, its beautiful gothic portal surmounted by a and editions of theatrical works and novels. rose window. The inside is a single nave with Make sure to follow the short path through enclosed sculptures in stucco. Make sure to the pines, where Pirandello loved to sit visit the adjoining convent, with its beautiful and contemplate. This is where the author cloister, where you can purchase local sweets wanted to be buried. A simple stone marker, of almonds and pistachios, made by the nuns retouched by the sculptor Mazzacurati, guards who live here. the urn containing the ashes of the Master.

Regional Archaeological Museum

Agrigento: the Cathedral Hours: Open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Agrigento, medieval and modern, rises from Located between the modern city and the tops of the hills that dominate the Valley the Valley of the Temples, in the center of the Temples. The nucleus of the city is a of the Hellenistic-Roman quarter. The 18- labyrinth of alleyways and courtyards with a room museum holds numerous interesting classically Arab flavor. Entering this labyrinth, findings from Agrigento and the surrounding one discovers a treasure trove of churches region, arranged by expository theme. The and buildings. museum contains an outstanding collection of Attic vases, including the famous Crater The entry into the medieval city is Aldo Moro of Dionysus, as well as the marble statue of square. From here begins the 18th century Ephebus of Agrigento, a young athlete who Via Atenea, flanked by old buildings, shops lived in the 5th century B.C. and pleasant cafés. Along Via Atenea lies the baroque church of San Lorenzo; to the left Church of San Nicola of the church is the open entrance to the Next to the Archeological Museum stands the ancient hypogeum, a web of subterranean Church of San Nicola. aqueducts built in the 5th century B.C. This church, constructed in the 13th century, is made of volcanic rock taken from ruins of The Cathedral the Temple of Zeus. can be reached by going up the alleys from Entering through the beautiful Romanesque Piazza Pirandello. The building is preceded portal, you will come upon the unique nave. by a spectacular grand staircase. Its The second chapel to the left contains the construction dates from the 11th century, but Roman sarcophagus of Hippolitus and Phaedra, it has undergone many alterations through much loved by Goethe during his stay in the centuries, giving it a completely unique Agrigento. The sarcophagus is decorated with appearance. The façade is flanked by an bas-reliefs telling the tragic story of Phaedra

The Temple of Giunone Hellenistic-Roman Quarter at the far end of the hill of temples, is identical Leaving the Hill of Temples and coming toward in dimension to the Temple of Concordia. The the city, we come upon the excavations of the view from the Valley of the Temples is simply Hellenistic-Roman quarter, a zone comprised striking. The ediﬁce holds 40 columns, 16 with of 4 parallel centers, from which emerged capitals. To the east lie the sacriﬁcial altars, dwellings and shops dating from between which according to Greek religious practices the 3rd century B.C. and 4th century A.D. were located outside of the temple. Many dwellings are decorated with mosaics of various kinds and constructions. Note also the The temple of Hercules presence of wells, cisterns and sewer systems is the most ancient of the Agrigento’s with which the city was equipped. temples. It was built in peripteral hexastyle (an architectural style using a single row of columns on all sides, and 6 frontal columns in the portico) but on the long sides it had 15 columns instead of the usual 14. There are 8 of this type of temple standing on the south side. The ruins clearly show that the temple was destroyed by an earthquake. To the south of the Temple of Hercules stands the

Agrigento: the Temple of Concordia Temple of Terone, a truly imposing sepulchral monument, made up of two superimposed Valley of the Temples is the most renowned sections: a nearly cubical podium and a kind attraction in Agrigento, a large archeological of small Doric temple with false doors and site containing the remains of various Doric angular Ionic columns. temples dating from the 5th century B.C. Hours are from 9:00 a.m. to sunset. A fee is The Temple of Olympian Zeus required to enter. of which remains only massive ruins, was one of the largest buildings of Greek architecture, The Temple of Concordia measuring 112.60 by 56.30 meters. It was built erected around 430 B.C., is the best- in 480 b.C. in honor of Zeus, after the great preserved among the Doric temples of the victory brought against the Carthaginians. Greek world, and one of the most beautiful in The shape of this temple was absolutely proportion and harmony of form. It is a four- unique due to its feature of having a wall sided structure measuring 20 by 42 meters. surrounding the temple with half-columns The elegant and airy colonnade, following the emerging up from it. Between them stood classic model, has 6 by 13 columns, each of a impressive statues of giants, the telamones, height of 6.75 meters. The temple underwent which functioned as load-bearing supports for major transformation and adaptations after the structure. A copy of one of these giants the 6th century A.D., when Bishop Gregory remains among the ruins, while the originals transferred the seat of the cathedral to are on display at the Archeological Museum. Agrigento. Because of this, the temple was saved from the destruction wrought upon In the area of the Valley of the Temples also the other temples at the hands of Christian lie the less preserved of the other sacred fanaticism. North of the temple extends the buildings, like the Temple of Asclepion, the Paleochristian Byzantine Necropolis, a vast Temple of Castor and Pollux and the Temple complex of open-air tombs. of Ephestus.

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often embellished with exotic touches like fennel and pistachios.

Among the meats, the cuisine of Agrigento features roasted goat and barbequed lamb. In the winter, you can enjoy pork, sweet and sour duck, or barbequed sausage ﬂavored with fennel and peppers. Meats are always accompanied by ﬂavorful seasonal vegetable dishes, prepared in various styles. Not to be missed is “caponata”, a dish of fried mixed vegetables, served cold.

Fish has an important place on the tables of Agrigento, given its vicinity to the sea. All types of ﬁsh are used in the most varied recipes. The most common dish, however, is sole, stuffed sardines with nutmeg, and the exquisite dentex in meat broth.

Agrigento: cous-cous and fish Finally, dessert: it would take too much space Trapani: traditional coral traditions to enumerate here the specialties of Sicilian By virtue of its location on a hillside, yet pastry. They are among the most original and Via Atenea is the main commercial street in only 4 kilometers from the sea, the cuisine of renowned in all of Italy. Be sure to make your Agrigento and the “living room” of the city. Agrigento encompasses both the traditions of way into a pastry shop, and let your curiosity The street is extensive, winding between the sea and those purely from the countryside, be your guide. Buon appetito! ancient buildings and churches of varying and as in the rest of Sicily, it is rich in the styles. Do as the Agrigenti do, and take the influences of other cultures, especially Arab. traditional “passeggiata” (walk) to do some shopping. The restaurants of Agrigento offer fantastic antipasti, typically Mediterranean, and made The artisans of Agrigento sell their original with simple and flavorful ingredients: salted creations, such as their ancient tradition of anchovies, olives, vegetables preserved in objects and sculptures made out of cork, or oil, sundried tomatoes or the traditional terracotta, carpets, wrought iron, wicker dish called “pitaggio”, made of fresh fava and traditional musical instruments. Real beans, peas, and artichokes. Sicily also offers connoisseurs can observe the construction delicious variations on pizza: layers of puff of the ciaramedde, unique Sicilian bagpipes pastry stuffed with various ingredients; at requiring a complex manufacturing process, least try one of the “sfincioni”, the “miscati” which is remembered and practiced by only a the “mignolate” or the “cuddruni”. few remaining artisans in the area. In Casteltermini, a city north of Agrigento, First-course dishes are a triumph of pasta. saddles and accessories for horseback riding Among the most popular recipes is “cavatelli” are produced. (a kind of pasta) with tomatoes and eggplant, or with fava beans and ricotta. Often you find pasta prepared with fish, as in the famous “pasta con le sarde” (pasta with sardines),

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Sciacca. From his wagon comes the traditional distribution of candies, wine, and sausage to the crowd, prepared in the back end of the wagon. The evening of Fat Tuesday, the end of the event, the pyre of Peppe Nappa is started: everyone gathers around the King, throwing thousands of carnival hammers on the ﬂaming puppet.

The Festival of San Calogero, in July San Calogero, the “Black Saint”, is certainly the most loved by the Agrigenti. The festivities last for 8 days, from the first to the second Sunday in July. It is difficult to describe this festival in the usual terms it unites mysticism, ancient traditions and profound Christian faith, radiating an energy that is difficult to describe. The festival culminates with the procession of sacred figures of the Saint,

Selinunte: archeological park Temple E Agrigento: Almond Blossom Festival accompanied by the sounds of the tambourine, recalling the ancient Arab presence on the Agrigento has a good selection of lodgings, The Almond Blossom Festival, in February island. One characteristic of the festival is particularly 3 and 4 star hotels. According to This event takes place during the ﬁrst half of the preparation of typical bread loafs, with your needs and your budget, you can choose February, in the breathtaking Valley of the sesame seeds and fennel, which are thrown your lodging from amongst any number of Temples in Agrigento. The celebrations include before the saint’s cart in the procession, as hotels, agritourist lodgings, or bed-and- costumed parades, shows, and concerts. dictated by tradition. breakfasts. For many years, The Almond Festival has If you prefer a full service hotel, whether a been supported by the International Folklore Blues & Wine Soul Festival, in July few steps from the Valley of the Temples or Festival (or Ethnic Almond Festival), a The Blues & Wine Soul Festival is a big wine on the beach of San Leone, Travelplan can competition between folklore groups divided and music event, three phenomenal days help you ﬁnd a hotel in Agrigento. If you need into three categories: dance, traditional dedicated to the biggest stars from abroad, a more economical solution, but still desire costumes, and music. Through the years, the in the heart of the Valley of the Temples all the urban comforts, why not opt for a festival has attained international renown, archeological park. bed-and-breakfast in Agrigento? If you’re bringing together folklore groups from around The event joins together the best blues, soul, more interested in contact with nature, the world who come to Agrigento to promote and gospel with the tasting of Sicilian wines. try the many different farmhouse lodgings, and preserve their own popular traditions. While the Hammonds and guitars of some of or agriturismi, available in Agrigento, the biggest international blues & soul artists immersed in the rough and wild beauty of the The Carnival of Sciacca, in February vibrate onstage, the best vintners of Sicily Mediterranean countryside. The Carnival of Sciacca is one of the most and of Italy present their own products, and famous in Sicily and Italy for the sumptuousness professional sommeliers guide the public in of its allegorical wagons. wine tastings. The main event of the Carnival is the parade By day, educational visits are organized of allegorical wagons, which takes place in the wineries, as well as conferences every day from Saturday to Tuesday. The most on safeguarding the environment and unique part of the Carnival is the wagon of viticulture. “Peppe Nappa”, the King of the Carnival of

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Pirandello Week, in December beach lie the ruins of the Greek-Roman city International convention of Pirandello studies. of Eraclea. An event articulated by themes ranging from literature to cinema to theatre, and with a Sciacca unique structure employing schools from 30 This Agrigentan town is famous for its carnival, provinces. its hot spring and its baroque and medieval Students assemble in Agrigento for the architectural beauty, but it preserves a little- conference, with time to make visits to the known jewel: the Arab quarter. places Pirandello lived, worked, and visited. This event is organized by the National Center Sciacca has very ancient origins, even the for the Study of Pirandello. Greeks exploited the therapeutic properties The Center was founded in 1967 with the of its natural “ovens”. Greeks, Romans, aim of promoting international encounters Arabs, Normans, and Spaniards left a piece between critics and students, and the of their culture that we still ﬁnd today in collection of all testimonials to the work of the artistic heritage of the city and in its Luigi Pirandello. popular traditions. In 1831, Sciacca was the protagonist in an extraordinary geological event: a volcanic island emerged from the sea in front of the city, and it sunk after only six months: the Ferdinandea Island. Eraclea Minoa Coast The city is an intricate labryinth of alleyways, This itinerary carries you to the discovery of into which open up piazzas that hold beautiful the coast between Agrigento and Selinunte, churches and buildings. Sights you should touching the historical city of Sciacca to arrive see: at the ﬁnal destination: the archeological marvels of Selinunte. The Cathedral (Duomo), of Norman origins (1108), was expanded in 1656 on the plans The coast between Agrigento and Sciacca of Michele Blasco. The incomplete baroque is dotted with gorgeous, yet still-unknown façade is missing one of two belltowers; on beaches: long, white, sandy beaches encircled the sides there are statues of Antonio and by sand dunes and white cliffs. Coming from Gian Domenico Gagini from the 16th century. Agrigento, there are three beaches you should On the inside are three naves, holding many visit: works of art, among which are various sculptures dated from the 16th century. The Turkish Stairs near Realmente, a white The Church of Collegio, which is rich inside cliff that the wind has shaped like an with paintings, among those the Adoration of enormous staircase plunging into the sea. the Magi by Giovanni Portalone, and a Saint Torre Salsa: between Siculiana Marina and John the Baptist attributed to Domenichino. Eraclea Minoa extends the World Wildlife The Church of Santa Margherita, renovated in Federation reserve of Torre Salsa, where chalk the 1500’s, is interesting for its Renaissance cliffs alternate with long, golden beaches. Gothic portal and, inside, the stucco Beach access points are varied and can be polychromes and frescoes. found in Montallegro. The Steripinto is a singular building from the Eracelea Minoa: a white, sandy shore of 5 1500s, in the Sicilian-Catalonian style. the km, circled by a dune and protected by a facade is notable for its tiny conches pointed compact forest. In the coastal waters of the with diamonds and battlements with a mask

© Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism THE AGRIGENTO CITY GUIDE / ITINERARIES 15 16 THE AGRIGENTO CITY GUIDE / ITINERARIES The Salt Route: Trapani, Erice and Marsala in the center, a Renaissance portal, and still continue; the many findings discovered at it Mars-el-Allah (port of God). The Normans elegant double lancet window. Selinunte are preserved in the Archeological conquered Marsala in 1072, erecting a castle The arts and crafts of Sciacca express the Museum of Palermo and the Civic Museum and constructing churches and convents. best of majolica, traditional Sicilian painted of Castelvetrano. Archeological Park The name of the city is connected to the earthenware. The ceramics here follow an Information: Telephone: +39 0924 46251 famous wine that has been produced here since ancient tradition dating from medieval times. the end of the 8th century. An enterprising The glasswork of Sciacca adorns almost all the Englishman, John Woodhouse, established noble buildings of Agrigento from the 14th to the first wine factory that produced marsala, the 18th century. which went on to have such a large part in the economic fortunes of the city. Selinunte In the center of the biggest archeological park The Cathedral (Duomo), constructed by in the Mediterranean, Selinute greets visitors the Normans and largely remodeled in the with its ruins of colossal Greek temples. It succeeding centuries. The building face was founded in 650 B.C. or in 627 B.C., on dominates the piazza in Doric style, with a sea promontory between two rivers, whose 18th century elements like the portal and the estuary was then navigable. Selinunte was displays on the windows. a thriving and prosperous city, but in 409 Behind the Duomo, don’t miss the Tapestry B.C. was conquered and destroyed by the Museum, with 8 beautiful Flemish tapestries Carthaginians. Those same Carthaginians from the 16th century, representing scenes destroyed it later on during the first Punic Trapani: panorama with Egadi Islands from the war of Tito against the Judeans. war, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Romans. This itinerary carries you along the ancient On the seafront lies the Regional Salt Route, next to the extreme west corner Archaeological Museum, where visitors can The archeological area opens with the of Sicily, where a fine historical heritage and admire Punic findings from the Isle of Mozia eastern hills, where the remains of three absolutely unique natural features await the and from the necropolises of Lilibeo. In one large Doric temples lie: Temple G, dedicated tourist. Come with us to discover why... large room the remains of a Punic nave are to Zeus, today is completely in ruins. It was preserved, a unique example of this type of one of the largest temples in antiquity: it Lodging: According to your needs and your nave which was discovered in the Stagnone measured 113 by 54 meters, with columns budget, you can choose your lodgings from lagoon. standing 16 meters high. Temple F, dedicated among any number of options, including Continuing along the seafront, down to the to Athena, is the smallest of the temples. hotels of every kind, or comfortable bed-and- easternmost point of the city, we come upon Dating from the end of the 6th century B.C., breakfasts at Trapani, Erice, or Marsala. If an archeological park containing remains today it is completely destroyed. Temple you’re looking for a unique experience, opt of a Roman city from the 3rd or 4th century E, dedicated to Hera, is the most striking, for one of the many agritourism lodgings, B.C.: remains of dwellings, a bathhouse and thanks to the reconstruction undertaken or charming and hospitable residence hotels some lovely polychromatic mosaics. by archeologists in the 1950s. Beyond the in a real “baglio”, or ancient Sicilian farm, eastern hill extends the area of the Acropolis, immersed in the country or looking out over Another important attraction of Marsala on which was discovered the remains of 5 the sea. are the historical Florio wine cellars, two Doric temples. Around the Acropolis were centuries old (Lungomare Florio, 1 Marsala discovered fortifications made of squared Marsala +39 0923 781111), where you can observe the blocks (from the 5th and 6th centuries). To Marsala is a gorgeous city of art, rich in Punic, production processes of this lovely aromatic the north and to the west of the Acropolis lie Roman, Norman, Arab, and Spanish heritage. wine. two great necropolises, still in excavation, It was founded by the Carthaginians at the containing dozens of excavated tombs of beginning of the 4th century B.C. under the The saltworks volcanic rock and sarcophagi of terracotta. name of Lilibeo, but during medieval times, The coast from Marsala to Trapani is The excavations of the archeological area it was conquered by the Arabs, who called characterized by one of the landscapes

most peculiar to Sicily: the saltworks. Large of mixed marble and, in the main altar, a historical center, while from the balconies, Every summer Erice hosts the famous Week mirrors of saltwater form an irregular and bas-relief by Marabiti, representing Maria onlookers throw down flower petals. of Medieval and Renaissance Music, which multicolored chessboard, where for centuries Immacolata. attracts internationally famous artists and a the precious substance has been produced. In The Cathedral, constructed in the 17th Erice great many fans. some areas you can see a windmill, which at century, guards within it some funerary It is the best-known city of this edge of one time served to pump water and grind the monuments and a crucifix, which some Sicily, and with good reason. Located in a salt. attribute to Anthony Van Dyck. panoramic position 750 feet above sea level, Among the most beautiful of these are the Erice preserves whole all the fascination Saltworks of Trapani and Paceco, which are In the ancient Jewish quarter, along Via of an ancient medieval village, with little protected by the World Wildlife Federation Giudecca, it is worth the trouble to stop piazzas, winding streets, gorgeous flowering for their role as home to around 170 different in front of the Giudecca Palazzo, from the courtyards and more than 60 small churches. bird species, including flamingos, storks, 16th century, constructed in the Spanish The view from here can span over all of cranes, and herons. plateresque style. eastern Sicily, over Trapani, Marsala, and the Egadi Islands. The saltworks visitor center can be found The Sanctuary of Annunziata is an original at Nubia, just below Trapani on the coastal church from the 15th century, with rose Erice was founded in the 7th century b.C. road SP 21. In a 300-year old salt house, the window and portal from the 1400s, the by the Elymians, who erected the temple Museum of Salt was instituted, illustrating belltower from 1650. Inside it contains dedicated to the worship of their fertility the phases of salt production and some of beautiful chapels, rich in masterpieces. The goddess. Afterward, the Greek worshipped the equipment utilized for its extraction most celebrated and lovely chapel is the Aphrodite and Roman Venus. On the ruins of and collection. By night, nature offers most Chapel of the Madonna. On the main altar the Temple stands today the Castle of Venus, beautiful sunsets in Sicily, with colors that there is a statue of the Virgin: the Madonna of from the Norman times. shift from red to orange to pink, encircling Trapani, by Nino Pisano, extremely venerated the ancient mills and the silhouettes of the by the Trapanese. It is a true and inimitable The historical center is surrounded by Egadi Islands. masterpiece of sculpture. Cyclopian walls of Punic origin (6th century b.C.). The Normans opened up three ports The former convent of the Annunciation (Trapani, Carmine, and Spada). Trapani hosts the Pepoli National Museum which, Entering through the port of Trapani, one Trapani, of winding design and baroque for the richness and variety of its collections, comes upon the Duomo (cathedral), erected architecture in bright stone, extends out is considered one of the most important in the 14th century in Gothic style. The into the sea in its characteristic shape of a museums in Sicily, and worth a visit just for isolated belltower served also as a lookout scythe, with the majestic Tower of Ligny its striking ambiance. The first floor hosts the tower for defense of the city. rising from its extreme point. Under Arab picture gallery, which collects many precious The inside was rebuilt in the 19th century in dominion, Trapani was a flowering center for paintings, including a Pietà masterpiece by Neogothic style. the production of salt, tuna, and coral. In the Roberto Oderisio from 1380. Don’t miss the 16th century, Trapanese coral artisans made artistic creations in coral (necklaces, sacred Southeast of the inhabited areas, above an the city famous throughout the Old World. furnishings and nativity figurines), which bear elusive rock from where the Temple of Venus A gorgeous collection of works in coral is witness to the artistic quality achieved by the arises, the Normans erected the grandiose preserved in the Pepoli Museum. artisans of Trapani. Castle of Venus, an impregnable fortress in defense of the city, sometime between the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main street of The procession of the Mysteries: of 12th and 14th centuries. Some towers and the old city, is flanked by baroque churches exceptional power is the procession of the walls still remain from this castle. To the and buildings: Saint Friday, when the Mysteries, ancient left of the Norman castle rises the Castle of The Jesuit Church of Collegio, from the 17th wooden statues that represent scenes from the Balio (the governor), constructed by Count century, has a wonderful baroque facade of Passion of Christ, are carried on the shoulders Pepoli in the 1800’s and the medieval Norman great relief moldings. Inside there are three in an imposing procession that covers, for towers, restored by the Count during the naves, with some notable 18th-century altars 24 consecutive hours, the streets of the same period.

themselves to the enchantment of the island to discover the grottoes that open up to the If you’re looking for urban comforts and for a longer period, we advise you to rent sea and the less-accessible solitary beaches. nightlife, this is not the place: there are a vacation house or apartment, ideal for only a few such facilities on the island. a relaxing family vacation. With a smaller The old tuff stone quarries Marettimo is instead ideal for lovers of budget, one can opt for an bed-and-breakfast, concentrated in the northeast of Favignana, trekking and swimming. The rich depths are or a guesthouse in the Egadis, while campers are another attraction not to be missed. justly protected in the Egadi Marine Nature will find some quality campgrounds at In ancient times this volcanic rock was the Reserve. Favignana. principal resource for the inhabitants of the island: the blocks of tuff, extracted using An island boat trip (ask the local fishermen) Favignana long hand saws, were taken across the sea on is intensely exciting. The eastern coast offers with its typical butterfly shape, is the biggest board sailing ships for export to all of Sicily more complex scenery: very high fortresses island of the Egadis. Arriving by boat, one is and North Africa. Today these quarries, which rising up from the turquoise sea, where immediately greeted with the elegance of the make this landscape unique, are becoming marine grottos open up to create fantastic Palazzo Florio. The Florio was constructed in large vegetable gardens and underground plays of light. Some are so vast that they 1874 when the old tonnare (the extensive flower gardens, where capers and other allow access to two or three boats at a time. buildings used for tuna working) were aromatic Mediterranean plants grow. acquired, and which still today dominate History has also left its traces on Marettimo: the port of Favignana. Until the 1800’s, the Levanzo a mule track that rises from the port city to tuna industry of Favigana was created around To the north of Favignana emerges the island the rest of the Roman houses, while on the Palazzo Florio, one of the biggest industrial of Levanzo, the smallest of the Egadi islands. point of Troia, inaccessible as an eagle’s nest, overhangs a castle to the left, which was Egadi Islands: Favignana, traditional tuna fishing food complexes in the world, at the vanguard The island has high and steep coasts which of conservation activity and packing of tuna. are intact and beautiful, a truly pristine made into a prison by the Bourbons. The Egadi are three distant islands, a few Today the tonnare are in disuse, but they paradise for those who love a more quiet thousand meters from the coast of Trapani. will soon be converted into a museum and kind of tourism. Life goes at a slow pace, You can arrive there in a few minutes thanks cultural center. completely removed from the world of home. to the many connections from the port of The historical center gravitates around the Levanzo is an island to explore by foot, along Trapani, yet just visiting the Egadi, one feels Piazza Madrice, which contains a baroque the paths that rise toward the mountain and far away from everything, immersed in a church, shops, bars, and gelato shops. It is along the coasts. pristine environment of rare beauty. These always crowded, especially in the summer. It islands are a little outside of time, where the is possible to lose one’s self in the streets of There is a unique little town on the island, tourist can abandon themselves happily to the the 17th century center, among the simple overlooking it like a terrace over the little rhythm of life so different from their own. houses, which hide gardens that diffuse the port, where islanders and tourists live elbow scents of flowers and aromatic herbs into the to elbow. How to get there: transportation from air. Trapani to the Egadi Islands is by boat, Leaving the town, there appears an island in A boat ride will allow you to discover the hydrofoil, and ferry, operated by Tirrenia(Call all its rough beauty. The Mediterranean brush north coast, rising straight from the ocean, Center 892 123 from cell phones, or from covers vast expanses: thistles, prickly pears and to explore coves accessible only by abroad +39.081.8449297) and Ustica Lines and agave make this landscape extraordinarily sea. Those who love history cannot miss the (information and reservations at 0923 fascinating. Grotto of the Genovese: it is a large cavern 873813). The coast is scattered with cliffs and with prehistoric paintings and graffiti inside, coves: Cala Rossa is really the best-known: with scenes of hunting and fishing from more Where to stay: The Egadi islands offer viewing it from above its fortresses gives an than 10 million years ago. different arrangements depending on your indescribable feeling. Abandoning one’s self needs and your budget. There is a moderate to the care of the sun and the sea, and to the Marettimo choice of hotels and tourist villages, with beautiful Cala Azzurra, Cala Stornello, and is the furthest away and the most wild of various degrees of comfort, services and Cala Rotonda surely will one’s expectations the three Egadis, an island that is extremely prices. For those who want to abandon will not go unfulfilled. A boat trip allows you dominated by the bulk of Monte Falcone.

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