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On the western tip of Sicily, the town of Trapani is often a jumping off point to the Egadi islands offshore, or inland to the historic hilltop town of Erice, which gazes down upon its neighbour from Monte Erice 750 metres above. Trapani in fact started life as the port for Erice, and it sits atop a promontory jutting into the Mediterranean. The city suffered the usual predations of invading Mediterraneans during the Classical era - invaded by Carthage in 260BC, by Rome in 241BC: the city's ancient protector, the God Saturn, apparently wasn't quite up to the job of defending Trapani. The city suffered heavy Allied bombing during World War II but has since become a major tourist destination. This western part of Sicily is fascinatingly different to the east of the island, with little boxy whitewashed houses, palm trees, little fishing ports and relentless sun giving it a feel more of Africa than Europe. The old town is largely medieval; main sights include the baroque Palazzo della Giudecca, and the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Gesu from the 16th century. Earlier is the Church of Sant'Agostino, while the Basilica Sanctuary di Maria Santissima Annunziata dates from the early 14th century (rebuilt in 1760). Other sights include the Fontana di Tritone, while the best shopping is on the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. If you are here at Easter time you're in for a treat with the Misteri - a superb procession of the town's guilds with 17th and 18th century devotional statues, and lasting a full 16 hours through Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Trapani hotels.
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