{"id":68484,"date":"2015-10-13T16:05:17","date_gmt":"2015-10-13T15:05:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sicile-sicilia.net\/?p=68484"},"modified":"2026-10-14T10:46:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T09:46:45","slug":"erice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sicile-sicilia.net\/en\/erice","title":{"rendered":"Erice"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Erice<\/strong> is a small medieval and tourist town of about 26,000 inhabitants, overlooking its maritime neighbour Trapani<\/a>, situated on the remarkable site of Mount Eryx<\/strong>, which is also called Monte San Giuliano.
The town can be reached by road or by a cable car connecting Erice to Trapani.<\/p>\n

A picturesque town at the top of a mountain<\/h2>\n

At 750 metres above sea level, the panorama from Erice extends over the coast, with Trapani and the salt flats, the Egadi Islands, and, on very clear days, the shores of Tunisia.
The medieval centre of Erice<\/strong> is a vast ensemble with a singular atmosphere, especially in the winter mists. The maze of paved alleys and stairways, dotted with churches and palaces, stretches up to the summit on the eastern side of the hill, where the old Norman castle stands, built on the site of the ancient Temple of Venus.
\u2192 Discover the sights and the visit of Erice<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Chiesa<\/a>

Cathedral of Erice<\/p><\/div>\n

Erice’s local craftsmanship is particularly marked by pottery, ironwork dating back to the 16th\u201317th centuries, and carpet weaving, ancient traditions still alive today.
The town preserves an important religious and cultural heritage linked to its many confraternities and old trade guilds, still visible during religious processions, especially at Easter.<\/p>\n

What to see and do above all in Erice<\/h2>\n
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  1. Castle of Venus<\/strong><\/a>
    The Castello di Venere is the icon of Erice, a medieval fortress built by the Normans in the 12th century on the site of an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Venus Ericina. The site combines fortifications, archaeological remains and spectacular views.<\/li>\n
  2. Chiesa Madre<\/strong><\/a>
    Erice’s Gothic cathedral, built in the 14th century with materials from the ruins of the sanctuary of Venus, for its remarkable architecture, including the bell tower and its interior.<\/li>\n
  3. Alleys of the historic centre<\/strong>The medieval centre of Erice is distinguished by its maze of paved alleys and stairways. These narrow streets reveal traditional architecture: stone houses, ancient palaces, small squares and secondary churches. The route between the cathedral and the castle allows one to appreciate its scale.<\/li>\n
  4. Elymian-Phoenician wall and medieval ramparts<\/strong>
    Erice’s fortifications are among the oldest urban remains on the site: portions of walls date from the time of the Elymians and the Phoenicians and frame the historic centre. They are visible around the gates such as Porta Trapani and Porta Spada.<\/li>\n
  5. Garden and towers of Balio<\/strong>
    Historic public gardens created in the 19th century, near the castle of Venus with its Towers of Balio, a medieval defensive complex, overlooking the landscape with views of Trapani, the salt flats and the coast.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u2192 Discover the sights and the visit of Erice<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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