Discover Erice: Holiday Apartment, Churches and Norman Towers

Erice combines historic buildings, museums, walls, gardens and local crafts. Torretta Pepoli in the Giardino del Balio is an elegant building in the Moorish style; Count Agostino Pepoli supported its construction around 1870. Following an extensive restoration completed in 2014, it was returned to the public as the Osservatorio Permanente di Pace and Faro del Mediterraneo.

Holiday apartment in Erice: towers, churches and layers of history

In the historic centre stands the Torre di Re Federico, a watchtower of Norman origin. It offers panoramic views over the town and the surrounding sea. The Chiesa San Giuliano, at the highest point of the historic centre, is considered one of the most important places of religious life in the town. According to local tradition, it was built in 1076 by Count Ruggero d’Altavilla out of gratitude to San Giuliano, after the saint had helped during the siege of Monte.

The Chiesa San Martino is one of Erice’s oldest religious buildings. The Chiesa di Sant’Orsola was built in 1413 and preserves its original Gothic rib vaults. Near Porta Trapani stands the Duomo di Erice, also known as the Chiesa Matrice; it is considered the town’s most important religious building. The Castello di Venere dates in its present form from the Norman period; the Romans had previously built the Temple of Venere Ericina at this site. The Tesoro del Duomo preserves valuable silver collections that are among the most important in all of Sicily.

Museums and former monasteries

The Museo Cordici was founded in 1876 in the former monastery of the Third Order of Saint Francis to bring together artworks from the Val di Erice and convey the history of this area. It includes sections devoted to archaeology, decorative arts, weapons, sculptures and paintings, as well as contemporary art; there is also a room for temporary exhibitions. Guided tours are available on request. The Istituto Blackett is located in the former monastery of San Domenico in Erice and is one of the locations of the Fondazione Ettore Majorana e Centro di Cultura Scientifica. The former monastery of San Francesco now houses the Istituto Wigner in Erice.

Walls, garden and historic paths

The Mura Elimo-Puniche in Erice are a historic monument dating from the 7th century BC and are associated with the Elymians. The surviving Mura Elimo-Puniche extend for approximately 700 metres around the village of Erice. The best-preserved section runs along Via dell’Addolorata between Porta Carmine and Porta Spada. The Giardino del Balio was restored as a public garden at the end of the 19th century through the efforts of Count Agostino Pepoli.

Crafts and historic sites

The small shops in the medieval town offer colourful rugs in various sizes; at the same time, the ancient art of carpet weaving continues to this day in Erice. Hand-decorated ceramics are also available in Erice. The Quartiere Spagnolo was restored and adapted for tourist reception.

More travel ideas

If you would like to extend your travel plans beyond Erice, here are some further destinations: Marettimo, Sasi, Mazara Del Vallo, San Leonardo, San Vito Lo Capo, Poggioreale, Karuscia, Selinunte.

To the higher-level travel overview: Trapani.