Trapani is not a very big city, there is some thousands of 70 people. There is a town on the north-west coast of Sicily and is famous for its luxurious beaches, a gentle sun, and, of course, attractions. By the way, about them!
Basilica Maria Santissima Annunciat (Basilica-Santuario Di Maria Santissima Annunziata)
This is perhaps one of the main attractions of the city. There is a baroque-renaissance cathedral in the historic center of the city. The Church of the Most Holy Virgin Mary Carmelitskaya is dedicated. Basilica belonging to the Order of the Carmelite Monks was built in 1250, however, then she was a tiny church and was called differently. Already later, the church was rebuilt and then expanded another time in the 18th century. The main value of the Basilica is a marble statue of Madonna with a baby (Madonna Di Trapani). It is said that her created the great Italian sculptor of the 14th century Nino Pisano. Statue is known in all Mediterranean countries, and this temple is one of the most popular in Sicily. The chapel, which was built at the end of the 16th century and its statuette of St. Alberto Deli Abati from silver, as well as the relics of the saint (his skull) are located here. Nearby you can see Celle, where I lived the saint - there are now the relics of the blissful Luigi Rabat. Under the altar of the temple there are the remains of the Roman Great Martyr of the Holy Clement. In the center there are 16 columns and luxurious silver stucco, and a very beautiful round window and socket can be seen above the entrance. Next to the Basilica is the Carmelite Monastery (once he was the largest in all of Italy) - today there is a museum in the monastery. Next, you can see the city park.
From 1 to 16 August every year there is a religious holiday in honor of Madonna with a baby - a huge number of pilgrims arrive here. The holiday ends with a removal of the Basilica of the famous statue.
Torre di Ligny
The symbol of the city, the tower - the fortress in the western part of Cape Trapani, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Sicilian Strait. The tower was built in 1671 during the Spanish domination in Sicily, as a defensive structure (in order to protect against Berber pirates who love to attack Sicily). By the beginning of the 19th century, the place that joined the tower with the city was made pedestrian and open to all people. Until the mid-19th century, firearms were standing on the top of the tower, and the World Tower was actively used by the Navy as an anti-air position. At 79 years of last century, the tower was opened for tourists, excursions began to be held.
The tower on the rocks is as if the continuation of the ancient city, which was once called Polazzo Pietra. The tower narrows to the top, and at the top there are four womb with lanterns.
Also in the museum there is a Museum of prehistoric times, where you can admire the prehistoric items found during the archaeological excavations in the city. On the second floor, admire the exhibits associated with sea archeology - all sorts of anchors, wreckage of ships, decoration of the ancient Greeks and the Romans, which were found at the bottom of the sea. Very interesting exhibit - the hull of the helmet, which belongs to 3 centions BC. Be sure to climb the roof of the fortress - the views of the bay and the mountain are just awesome!
Castle Castello Colombaia (Castello Colombaia)
Luxury castle (it is also called Castello di Mare and Torre Peliad) built on a small island in front of the entrance to the port of Trapani. It is worth seeing to look at the castle - the beautiful (if not the best) sample of the military architecture of Sicily. And if the origin of the city itself is shuttered with legends and secrets, the same can be said about this castle, which has become one of the main attractions of Trapani. There are many stories and legends about his construction, starting with the times of antiquity, but in reality there is not a single reliable document confirming at least some version. It is said that this castle is somehow connected with the exiles from Troy, who arrived in Trapani after the Troy fell in the 13th century BC. Someone says that the castle was built during the first Punic war (stage in the 3rd century BC). They say, near Trapani on the water happened to the sea battle, where the Romans were broken by Carthaginians. Then, some time later, the Roman Consul was attacked by the island of Kolombaya (well, where the castle stands there) and quickly all over the day dismissed him, with massive victims. However, after that, it would seem about the castle already forgotten.
He dilapidated all, they began to nest the pigeons ("Colomb" - "Pigeon" in Italian, so they called so fortress). Also, Castello Colombai used as a lighthouse - it was seen from afar. In the Middle Ages, the castle was renovated, the castle tower became an octagonal. In the 15th century, the castle was slightly expanded and the building was defensive again. In the 17th century, the castle became a prison, where Sicilian patriots were sitting, participants in folk uprisings. Moreover, the prison castle was quite a long time, as well as until 1965. After that, the fortress was abandoned again for almost 30 years, and only in the 80s began to restore and update.
The castle is a rather gloomy spectacle. The height of the structure is 32 meters, balconies are closed. Before the castle you can see a small marina. At the main building - the courtyard with two chapels, which in the second world used as in the quality of the warehouses. Another pier today is in a completely unfasteable state.
Ancient city of Segesta (Segesta)
The ancient city of Segest in the north-west of Sicily, a 20-minute east from Trapani, founded Ellina, expelled from Troy. When exactly is unknown. But archaeological finds argue that in the 4th century BC. Here they just lived. Segest was one of the richest cities of Sicily, but in the 13th century it was abandoned. The most impressive part of the city is a Doric Temple with 36 columns, not completed during construction. It is said that the purpose of building this temple is impressed by the rulers of Athens during their visit to the island. However, when those sailed from the island, the castle was safely stopped building. And still he is very beautiful. Also pay attention to the amphitheater in the rock at an altitude of 440 meters above sea level. In the ancient city, you can see the ruins of the city walls, the Arab mosque and the Norman castle.