HISTORICAL PLACES

The most significant historical sites in the area of Palermo, Trapani and Agrigento recommended by Experience of Sicily.

PALERMO

The city of Palermo (from the greek Pan-Ormos "all port") is the capital of Sicily. In the past it was a land of conquest by the Sicani, Cretans, Elimi, Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Swabians, Angevins, Aragoneses, Spanish and Austrians. All these people have left monuments and remains outstanding throughout the territory.

AGRIGENTO

Agrigento was founded by colonists from Gela around 580 BC, located on the hill of Girgenti. It had various names: Akragas for the Greeks, Agrigentum by the Romans, Kerkent for the Arabs, Girgenti by the Normans. The latter was the official name of the city until 1929.

TRAPANI

Trapani was founded by the Elimi, is known as the City of salt and sailing, is located in the western part of Sicily and is also called the "city of the two seas" because there is the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north, while to the west there is the Mediterranean Sea.

VALLE DEI TEMPLI

The Valley of the Temples is an archaeological site located near Agrigento. Since 1997, the entire archaeological zone has been included in the list of world heritage sites, prepared by UNESCO.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA SEGESTA

Segesta is an ancient city, founded by the Elimi, located in the north-western part of Sicily. It rises on Mount Bàrbaro, in the area of Calatafimi Segesta. Inside you can admire the ruins of the ancient city walls and the Valley Gate, some residential and some relevant Segesta medieval monuments (city walls, castle, mosque and village). Of particular beauty are the temple and the theater.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE OF MOUNT MARANFUSA

The castle of Calatrasi stands on the east of the mountain Maranfusa, 487 meters above sea level. Occupies an area of 1,000 square meters and has a triangular plan, it is characterized by the presence of three towers arranged at the vertices of the triangle, connected by a thick wall in which were arranged environments related to the daily life of the castle, such as cisterns to collect water and rooms used for the storage of food supplies.

PRINCE OF CAMPOREALE PALACE

Inside the Baglio, ancient and imposing building heart of economic and social life of Camporeale since 1500, is located the Palace of the Jesuits, which became, then, residence of the Prince of Camporeale, which now houses, next to the Municipal Library and Wine Cellar, the Museum Camporeale.

CATHEDRAL MONREALE

The Cathedral, famous for its structure, the richness of the interior and the wonder of the mosaics, is certainly the most magnificent monument of the Norman period in Sicily.

MARKETS OF PALERMO

The four historical markets of Palermo are: Vucciria, the Capo, the Vecchio Borgo and the Ballaro, they are real living monuments. Walking through the streets of these markets, you can, in fact, learn very well the traditions of Palermo.

ERICE

Erice is located on the summit of Mount San Giuliano, 571 meters high and is 15 Km from Trapani. Its name is derived from the Sicilian-Italic Eryx, which means 'mountain'.