{"id":68467,"date":"2015-08-13T16:21:16","date_gmt":"2015-08-13T15:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sicile-sicilia.net\/?p=68467"},"modified":"2026-10-14T10:46:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T09:46:41","slug":"visiting-erice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sicile-sicilia.net\/en\/visiting-erice","title":{"rendered":"Visiting Erice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The historic centre of Erice<\/strong> is exceptionally well preserved, with a maze of paved alleys and stairways, of which two sites stand out: the Castle of Venus<\/strong><\/a> at the summit to the east of the village, built by the Normans in the 12th century on the remains of the temple of Venus, and the Chiesa Matrice<\/strong><\/a> in 14th-century Gothic style, located near the western entrance.
The town can be reached by a cable car connected to Trapani, or by the winding road that climbs the mountain.<\/p>\n

Porta Trapani and Chiesa Madre<\/h2>\n

Entering the historic centre from the south-west side, through the Norman-origin Porta Trapani<\/strong> (near the car park), you soon reach on the left the remains of Elymian or Phoenician fortifications<\/strong>, with portions of cyclopean walls (7th\u2013 3rd century BC).
Opposite, you arrive at the esplanade of the Chiesa Madre or Duomo Santa Mar\u00eda della Asunta.<\/p>\n

\"Chiesa<\/a>

Chiesa Madre<\/p><\/div>\n

The Chiesa Madre<\/strong> (or Duomo Santa Maria Assunta) was built in the 14th century starting in 1314 under Frederick of Aragon<\/strong>. The bell tower, separate from the church, was originally a watchtower. The site even dates back to Antiquity, with the Temple of Venus Ericina<\/strong> which was replaced by a church.
This cathedral has suffered several earthquakes and was restored notably in the 19th century, which explains the combination of medieval, Gothic and neo-Gothic elements.
Its imposing Gothic facade features a remarkable portal dating from 1426. The portico that precedes it, the rose window and the staircase were added later.
The interior was entirely renovated in the 19th century, and apart from the three-aisled plan, the colonnades with pointed arches, as well as four 16th-century chapels, remain original. The central nave is covered by a pointed barrel vault, while the side aisles retain lower vaults resting on the medieval Gothic arcades. The side chapels contain several altarpieces and sculptures from the 16th and 17th centuries, some attributed to Francesco Laurana or to local artists.<\/p>\n

\"Apse<\/a>

Apse of the cathedral<\/p><\/div>\n

Most of the building materials come from earlier structures, including possibly reuse linked to the ancient temple of Venus Ericina, such as Greek crosses in marble inlaid in the exterior walls.
The apse houses the high altar and above all an important marble sculptural group of the Assumption of the Virgin<\/em>, attributed to Antonello Gagini<\/strong> and his workshop (16th century), a central work of Renaissance sculpture in western Sicily. The choir also preserves carved wooden furnishings from the 17th-18th century, as well as stalls typical of the Baroque period.
Medieval and Baroque wall frescoes decorate certain chapels and side aisles, illustrating biblical scenes and local saints.
The sacristy and the treasury preserve a collection of goldsmith work, silverware, liturgical vestments, manuscripts and paintings from the 15th to the 19th century, including ancient shrines and reliquaries, censers and precious chalices.<\/p>\n

Next to the church, the bell tower is nearly 28 metres high, with its mullioned windows and six bells, from the top of which there is a panoramic view over the square.<\/p>\n

The very nearby small church of Sant’Isidoro<\/strong> was built in 1666 on the traditional site of the birth of the blessed Luigi Rabat\u00e0.<\/p>\n

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