There are just over a thousand inhabitants on the top of Mount Erice, in the medieval village overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea: Erice, in the province of Trapani, can boast all the charm of the Middle Ages, preserved on the top of the mountain.
Here, among stones and legends, visitors can hear the echo of the voice of goddesses and giants, ancient battles and prayers, those raised to heaven by the faithful gathered in the Real Chiesa Madrice, as well as enjoying the fantastic view of Trapani, San Vito Lo Capo and the Egadi. And then, suddenly, between the ancient walls of the medieval city and the bricks of ancient towers, a mural appears, a symbol of the most modern street art.
History of Erice
Erice was born from Legend of Eryx, lord of the village and giant son of Aphrodite, defeated by Heracles. In fact, the very name of the mountain and the village is due to Eryx. While legend speaks of a peaceful abdication by Heracles for the benefit of the local population, reality has seen the inhabitants of Erice fight bitterly and succumb to the strength of various peoples, from the Elimi to the Romans, who were contending for the domination of this thriving center . The people who came from the North, the Normans, even changed the name of the mountain to Monte San Giuliano, until in 1936 the massif regained its original name.
None of the foreign peoples was able to maintain the wealth of the village, which gradually became impoverished, but one of the main ones beauties of Erice, Temple of Venus Ericina, has never ceased to attract new visitors to the area and even today, nowadays, there are many tourists who choose Erice as a travel and holiday destination.
Curiosities about Erice
The Temple of Venus Ericina is also known as Castle of Venus and it is said that here, in the well of the castle, the goddess of beauty descended from Olympus to bathe. The Castle, a marvel of architecture and a meeting point between history and legend, is open to the public and can be visited.
A second curiosity about Erice instead it is a funny circumstance that depends on the size of the municipality in the province of Trapani: thecity hospitalin fact, the Sant'Antonio Abate is located on the slopes of Mount Erice and therefore falls under the administration of the Municipality, officially making every new born a Erice, rather than a Trapani.
"Curiosity and amazement" in Erice inspire inhabitants and tourists, as suggested by the many Sicilian artists who have chosen the walls of the medieval village as an open-air canvas for their art, with street art murals, which always remind man to keep his humanity alive, cultivating the love of beauty in all its highest forms.
5 things to see in Erice
During a stay in Erice, we advise you not to miss at least 5 of the main attractions of the village: the Castello di Venere, the Giardino del Balio, the Torretta Pepoli, the Real Chiesa Madrice Insigne Collegiata and the Urban Street Art path.
Il Castle of Venus it was built by the Normans in the XNUMXth century on the site of an ancient Elymian-Phoenician temple. At the time of the Normans, the fortress was a real citadel separated from the rest of the city.
Il Garden of Bali, with terraces on the top of the mountain, is a carefully designed green space, where you can admire Gothic-style pavilions alongside XNUMXth-century structures. The Torretta Pepoli, built in the XNUMXth century, was originally the eclectic personal studio of Count Pepoli, now transformed into a Museum and Observatory of Peace and Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.
La Royal Mother Church it is one of the buildings most loved by visitors: inside there are splendid works of ancient art, while from the bell tower it is possible to embrace the whole village, up to Marsala.
The path ofUrban Street Art, on the other hand, reconnects all the streets and alleys of Erice in a single design, guiding visitors on the trail of beauty, the one capable of awakening the deepest humanity present in each of us.
What to do in Erice and surroundings
Erice and its best flavours
Speaking of beauty, beautiful and also good are the gastronomic creations of Erice, fruit of ancient traditions rich in flavor: you bust them al pesto from Trapani are a great classic, but alternatively you can also try the Fish cous cous; a real must on the Erice tables is the tuna, but can not miss the eggplant caponata, while the pastry shop is very rich, which in addition to the classics cannoli, invites you to taste Genoese, mustaches e bocconcini, to be discovered in the best restaurants and pastry shops.
How to get to Erice
Erice, in the province of Trapani, can be reached with the train from Trapani Station (6 km away) thanks to buses and shuttles; alternatively, it is possible to arrive too in the car, from the A29 Alcamo-Trapani, taking the exit for Trapani E933.
© Image by Petr Novak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
