Erice: an oasis in the desert
Erice: an oasis in the desert

A wonderful medieval village nestled between golden beaches and crystal clear sea

For the people of Trapani, Erice is “the mountain” par excellence, u munti in Sicilian dialect. On its summit stands the medieval village of the same name.

Endowed with a unique beauty, Erice – whose name derives from Erix, a mythological creature born from the love of Aphrodite and Bute, one of the Argonauts – appears like an oasis in the desert: a village with medieval charm set in a predominantly maritime territory, surrounded by crystalline water and golden beaches.
Whether you enjoy the status of a local or experience these splendid places as a tourist, a holiday in the Trapani area is mainly devoted to the sea: San Vito lo Capo , the Riserva Naturale Orientata dello Zingaro, Scopello, the Egadi islands, are just some of the most popular places during the summer.

Well, if you want to take a break to unwind a bit, to not always find salt on your skin or sand in your shoes, or if you simply want to get away from the high summer temperatures, or even if you simply want to admire the Trapani landscape from above, the answer is always the same: Erice.

According to the historian Thucydides, Erice was founded by Trojan exiles more than three thousand years ago, who, once united with the newly arrived inhabitants of the motherland, would have constituted the people of the Elymians. Conquered by the Arabs, Erice saw its fame increase especially with the Normans, who also gave it a name that lasted until 1934: Monte San Giuliano.

The ancient territory included not only the mountain, but also the territories of San VitoLo Capo, Custonaci and Castellammare del Golfo. Frederick of Aragon used Erice as a stronghold during the War of the Vespers. Erice is history.

Whether you arrive by car or cable car, U Munti certainly offers emotions impossible to find in the vicinity: characteristic pebbles form the typical Erice pavement, the narrow streets typical of medieval villages bring with them a distant image of the usual conception that one has of Sicilian beauty, the Castello di Venere always captures the attention of visitors - whether they are there for the first time or are locals - thanks to its majesty and the fact that it is built on a rocky ridge overlooking the sea.

Erice is also a “city of science” : since 1963 it has been home to the Ettore Majorana Center for Scientific Culture , founded by the scientist Antonino Zichichi, who periodically brings together the world's greatest scientists for the most diverse scientific-based discussions.

But being a village, Italian and Sicilian, Erice is also cuisine: if you really want to enjoy the atmosphere that the mountain offers, you cannot help but walk through the alleys with a “ Genovese ” in your hand, a typical local dessert made of shortcrust pastry and custard.

The beauty of Erice knows no seasons, nor visiting hours: during the summer, especially during the day, the small streets are crowded with tourists, you can admire the salt pans of Trapani and the characteristic sickle shape of the city from above, you can, on the other side, admire the breathtaking scenery that stands out from the slopes of the mountain until you can clearly see the shape of Mount Cofano in the distance.

During the winter, however, it often happens that a thin layer of fog descends and makes the landscape more suggestive and mysterious, to be admired in silence and away from the crowd. In the evening, however, thanks to the lights, the streets are tinged with orange, which creates a spectacular combination with the black of the evening.

You will be dazzled, bewitched, enchanted. As in an oasis in the desert.

Joseph Genna

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