What to see in erice
Cosa vedere ad Erice
Every corner of the city is beautiful to visit. We recommend: Mother Church - The Church, dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption, is located near Porta Trapani. It was built by Frederick of Aragon in the fourteenth century. for defensive purposes, as can be clearly seen from the massive shapes and merlons that decorate it. From the top of the quadrangular bell tower, on which an order of single and two mullioned windows open, it was in fact possible to keep watch over the entire underlying gulf. The exterior has been remodeled several times and only the two portals remain of the original style. The beautiful rose window is partially hidden today by a Gothic portico added a century later. The interior, in 19th century neo-Gothic style, is divided into three naves by pillars supported by cross vaults. On the side aisles there are numerous chapels from various periods. Municipal Museum "Antonio Cordici" - Located inside the Town Hall, in Piazza Umberto I, the Museum collects some archaeological finds, statues and paintings. The beautiful sculptural group of the Annunciation by Antonello Gagini (1525) and a small marble head of Venus from Erice deserve a particular note. A little further on, on the right of the square, via Cordici flows into the pretty piazza S. Domenico, bordered by the street of the same name and by beautiful buildings. Castello di Venere - Perched on the south-eastern tip of the mountain, with a splendid view of the sea and the plain below, the castle dates back to the Norman period in its present form. However, its history began much earlier, when Aeneas built a temple dedicated to his mother Venus in this place. Since then, the cult of Venus Ericina spread throughout the Mediterranean. In Norman times, on the ruins of the temple and with its own stones, a fortress was built, surrounded by massive walls and protected by the Balio Towers, once connected to the castle via a drawbridge. The defensive character is also demonstrated by the machicolation above the entrance door enriched by the coat of arms of Charles V of Spain and a beautiful mullioned window. Giardino del Balio - The garden surrounds the Castle of Venus and the Torri del Balio, built in the Norman period as an advanced defense of the castle. The name of the towers and the garden derive from the Norman governor, known as "il bajulo" who lived here. The view that extends over Monte Cofano, Trapani and the Egadi is beautiful. Elymian-Punic Walls - The mighty Elymian wall (VIII-VI century BC) once surrounded the north-east side of the city, the only one exposed to possible attacks. To the large, older blocks that characterize the lower part, an elevation with smaller ashlars was then added in later periods. The walls were equipped with watchtowers, a walkway which was accessed via steep ladders and small openings that allowed the passage of the inhabitants and perhaps supplies. The best-preserved stretch extends along via dell'Addolorata, from Porta Carmine to Porta Spada.

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