What to see in Erice, an itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest, including Castello di Venere, Giardino del Balio, Cordici Museum and Duomo.
Tourist information
Formerly inhabited by the Elimi, Erice was dominated by the Carthaginians from the fifth century BC, to then be conquered by the Romans in 241 BC. with the battle of the Egadi islands.
Erice, located in the province of Trapani, has the characteristic aspect of a medieval village with walls which, developing along the western side of the town, is interrupted by quadrilateral towers and by the three Norman gates present, which are Porta Spada, Porta del Carmine and bring Trapani.
From the Pepoli Castle you reach the verdant Balio garden, which occupies the site of the ancient acropolis, where the temple of Venus Ericina stood.
The medieval fortress consisting of the Castle of Venus, dating back to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, was built on an esplanade partially supported by cyclopean walls.
It was the area where the ancient sanctuary was located, some parts of which can be seen inside the castle, as well as other ancient buildings.
In the Church of San Giovanni Battista, closed for worship, statues of Gagini are preserved.
What see
In the Cordici Civic Museum, housed in the Palazzo where the municipality is located, prehistoric, Punic, Greek and Roman archaeological finds are preserved.
Also exhibited are objects made of gold, bronze, terracotta and marble, including the marble head of Aphrodite dating back to the fifth century BC.
In the lobby there is a remarkable marble Annunciation made by Antonello Gagini in 1525.
Finally, there are collections of coins and seventeenth and eighteenth century paintings.
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The Duomo, dedicated to the Assumption, was built in the early fourteenth century, together with the detached crenellated bell tower.
In the fifteenth century a Gothic-style prothyrum was built, in correspondence with the pointed portal.
The interior with three naves houses some remarkable statues.
