Civiltà Antiche

In the Iron Age around 1000 BC, the Trapani region was populated by the Elymians. They settled in the mountains: Eryx (Erice) and Segesta were within sight of each other. Down at the coastline, the Phoenicians built a trading base on an island in the Mozia lagoon. The Greek colonization reached western Sicily 628 BC with the founding of the city of Selinunte.

Elymians, Greeks and Phoenicians

Impressive buildings, more than 2000 years old are still standing. The Elymian theatre and the temple of Segesta, the Acropolis of Selinunte and Mozia today have been turned into archaeological parks. Tempel von Segesta
On Picturesque Mozia the museum 'Casa Whittaker' houses the famous 'Ephebos of Mozia'. You can also still see parts of the old harbour (cothon) and the necropolis.
Selinunte is the largest archaeological park in Europe. Several temple buildings have been reconstructed and - as well as large parts of the city lying in ruins - opened to public. The majority of excavated finds from Selinunte have been brought to the museums of Palermo, however.
In Segesta there is an exceptionally well-preserved doric temple and a great greek theatre, that has been reconstructed and is now used for theatre plays again.
If you have a little interest in old stones, the visit to one the sites is a highly recommended. Mozia and Segesta are virtually on the doors of Trapani - Selinunte is about an hour's drive away.