Trapani
Although largely modern, Trapani, the first of the three main cities of western Sicily , boasts an elegant historic center enclosed in a narrow strip of land that juts out into the sea.
The inconspicuous monuments of the city, to which the port gives a border place atmosphere, do not give the idea of its long history, and yet Trapani was a thriving Punic trading post as the port of Eryx (today's Erice) thanks to its proximity to Africa, and was later conquered by the Romans, the Vandals and the Arabs, under whom it began to thrive.
Subsequently, as an important stopover along the sea routes that connected Tunis, Naples, Anjou and Aragon, it played a fundamental role throughout the Middle Ages, witnessing the passage of the king of Navarre Theobald, Edward I of England, Pietro d ' Aragon.
The development of Trapani in the last century was mainly based on the salt industry , fishing and viticulture .
Trapani is the main port of embarkation for the Egadi archipelago and the remote island of Pantelleria . It is a fairly intimate city, which stretches out on a narrow strip of land jutting out into the sea. The main artery. Via GB Fardella runs east-west dividing the modern city into two distinct halves. All the areas of interest are concentrated in this area, from which you can also access the ferry boarding . The main bus station is located in Piazza Montalto, the train station is around the corner in Piazza Umberto I.
What to see in Trapani
Trapani owes its present appearance above all to the magnificent Spanish Baroque which imposed itself in the XVI century. Splendid expressions of this style can be admired along the pedestrian area of Via Garibaldi , where the Palazzo Riccio di Morana and the Palazzo Fardella Fontana stand out . Another crowded street for strolling is Corso Vittorio Emanuele , where the monumental Cathedral of San Lorenzo stands out. Opposite the eastern end of the street stands another exuberant Baroque building, the Palazzo Senatorio .
In via Generale you will find the Church of Purgatory where the so-called mysteries of Trapani are preserved, 20 wooden groups of the eighteenth century with life-size characters representing the stories of the Passion of Christ and which on Good Friday are carried in solemn procession.
The most important monument of Trapani, however, is located at a certain distance from the center and is the fourteenth-century Sanctuary of the Annuziata , remodeled in Baroque style in the seventeenth century behind the main altar, the Chapel of the Madonna of Trapani attributed to Nino Pisano.
The Pepoli Regional Museum is located in a former Carmelite convent, where the collection of Count Pepoli is kept, known for his commitment to safeguarding the artistic and craft heritage. Among the various pieces on display you can admire the exquisite coral sculptures and a collection of silver, archaeological finds and sacred works.