About Trapani
At the foot of Mount Erice, Trapani
extends on a curved promontory. Historically the origins of Trapani
are believed to date from the Sicans, who apparently founded
a village here. Trapani followed in the shadow of the rest of
Sicily, but the apex of its power was reached under Charles V.
In the XVII century. Baroque palaces were built and are still
a characteristic of its old part, and the harbor still generates
the town's economy. Erice, perhaps the least Sicilian-looking
place on the island, stands on the mountain bearing the same
name. Its medieval look comes from the narrow cobbled streets,
grey stone buildings, little arches and flights of steps, courtyards
full of flowers. One feels outside time and space, going back
to the most "magic" period for Sicily, when the island
was the favorite place of many gods. From Erice there is a vast
and incomparable view which, on the clearest days, takes in Ustica
to the north, Pantelleria and Cap Bon Africa to the south.
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