"+++ unknown gorgeous spots of Italy...+++" Top 5 Page for this destination Trapani by caputomaru

Trapani Travel Guide: 71 reviews and 99 photos

Trapani , 'the salt city'.

Its name derives from an ancient word for "hook," for the shape of its harbor. To the Sicanians it was Drepano, to the Greeks Drepanon, to the Romans Drepanum. Trapani was founded in antiquity on Sicily's western coast by the Sicanians and later colonized by the Elimi as Erice's port. The waters off the coast witnessed an epic sea battle between Carthaginians and conquering Romans in 241 BC, considered a turning point in Rome's conquest of the central Mediterranean. Geographically, Trapani is an unusual Sicilian city for its westward position, which affords spectacular views of some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful sunsets. The surrounding coastal plain is distinguished for its rich salt deposits, and the white mineral is ground by the windmills seen along the coast. All of which lends the environs an appearance that sometimes seems more Dutch than Sicilian.
Even the oldest parts of the city have been modernized in many respects, but Trapani shows much of its medieval past, if not its ancient heritage. During the Norman era, the city had a polyglot population not unlike that of Palermo, with large Jewish and Muslim quarters. It was an important port for trade with Africa. The Annunciation Sanctuary, in Via Conte Pepoli, was built in the fourteenth century in the Romanesque Gothic style and still retains some splendid medieval elements such as the facade's portal and rose window, though the church's interior has been extensively modified.
The adjacent Pepoli Regional Museum is renowned for its medieval and modern collections, including articles from the Bourbon era, though it also houses some ancient finds. It displays quite a few smaller craft and folk works which one rarely sees in other museums.
The Spedaletto (Giudecca Palace) is a Catalan Gothic structure built in the sixteenth century. Though interesting, it is similar to buildings of the same style in Palermo and elsewhere in Sicily. On Via Sant'Agostino, the Church of Saint Mary of Jesus has a splendid Renaissance Gothic facade.
The Church of Sant'Agostino (Saint Augustine) is located in Piazzetta Saturno. It is Romanesque Gothic with a beautiful rose window. This structure was extensively restored and partially reconstructed following the damage it suffered during the Allied bombardment in 1943.
The Cathedral and the Collegio Church were built in the Baroque style during the seventeenth century, the former on the remains of an older church.
Trapani has an interesting Summer music festival (the Luglio Musicale Trapanese) in July, and also an annual tuna festival. Speaking of seafood, it is excellent in this part of Sicily. I suggest the tuna, a delicious experience nothing like the stuff you buy in cans at the supermarket; it's not even the same variety.

Pros and Cons

Pros:no tourist crowds, real local Italy, cheap prices, friendly people, landscape (sea and mountains)
Cons:not very lively on winter
In a nutshell:a little town you might fall in love with

Intro Updated May 6, 2005
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Reviews (33)

The best pizza of your life Restaurants (2)

Calvino is the best pizzeria of Trapani, and for me of the world, it has a nealry century old tradition, they use... more travel advice

Erice Off The Beaten Path (26)

This is what you see when you arrive to Trapani again coming down from Erice, you can see the Egadi islands onthe... more travel advice

Erice Off The Beaten Path (26)

.....even a map!! :D more travel advice

Erice Off The Beaten Path (26)

An outside menu tells you what lovely sweets you will find in this bakery yummy!! Don't miss cannoli siciliani and... more travel advice

Hotels (2)
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Warnings Or Dangers (3)
See All Erice

Comments (8)

tini58de Jun 2, 2010 at 1:41 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for all these tips - we will go to Trapani in 4 weeks! Yay!
Nischika Oct 8, 2008 at 1:54 AM Report Abuse

Defenetly best pizza in town!!! Hope to eat there again one day.
karentids May 20, 2008 at 10:11 AM Report Abuse

Have looked at your pages again, just come back from Trapani (after exploring Basilicata, stayed in Tramutola) and visited all the places you mention - wonderful, your pages are spot on although did not see the ghost!! :-)) Thank you.
jeffmartinartist May 31, 2005 at 4:34 AM Report Abuse

No fancy or sexy high heeled shoes but miniskirts are welcome. That should be on the sign as you arrive at the town. I have a photo of the bus ride to Erice I will find and post. j
Kaynisa Apr 30, 2005 at 11:57 AM Report Abuse

gosh this is brilliant pages... so many places i missed out when i was in italy... gosh wish i can go back and go to these places... Greetings from Malaysia.. good job -K-
Vikingwoman Apr 4, 2005 at 8:30 AM Report Abuse

Nice work !......Hugs from Hebbe. See you soooon !
Rapand Apr 4, 2005 at 4:07 AM Report Abuse

Ciao Allesandro! I see u have been out playing with your new digital camera, great pictures! Have u found a house for us in Trapani now...? :-) Siri
CALSF Feb 13, 2005 at 10:50 AM Report Abuse

Molto bello! I wouldn't mind seeing Trapani in winter-not boring to me to be anywhere in Italy no matter the season, truly. :)