ERICE: HOW TO GET THERE, THE BEST THING TO SEE AND RECOMMENDED

We were returning from our tour of the Aegadian Islands. We already saw the coast of the Gulf of Trapani and behind, rising to the sky, Mount San Giuliano. At its top, 750 meters above sea level, our next visit was waiting for us: Erice. This medieval town, with cobbled and labyrinthine lanes, stone houses, churches and defensive walls, with fog and silence, has been waiting perched on its mountain for a long time.

He waited first for the Elimos, then for the Siracusans and the Carthaginians of General Amilcar Barca, for Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards. All of them left part of their history marked on the stones of this place, and we assume that all of them would enjoy the views of what is, one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Sicily.

Now wait for tourists like us. We got up early and headed towards the clouds. And it is no metaphor: in the middle of the climb the fog became present, increasingly thick. He accompanied us to the parking lot, next to the Porta Trapani, and during mid-morning. So we find a stone village covered by the creaminess of the fog, with a dim light and a resounding silence. And we loved it! Then We tell you how to plan the visit to Erice, how to get there and the best places to see.

Yes you travel by car, it will not be difficult, just follow the instructions of the GPS (or Google Maps). The road is steep and has many curves, but is in good condition. If you find a sign indicating that the road is cut higher, do not pay any attention, you can reach the town.

For ParkWe recommend doing so in the main square, right next to the Trapani Gate, at one end of the town. It is a blue zone, the first hour costs € 2 and the next € 1. We put 2 hours and gave us perfectly to tour the town.

There is a more attractive option to arrive: with the funicular from Trapani. It is taken on the outskirts of the city and reaches just that parking place. It costs € 9 round trip and takes about 10 minutes. More info and schedules.

There is also the option of arriving on tour, like this one.

Although the best thing about this town is its cobbled streets, where getting lost is a real pleasure, if there are several places with special interest that you can not miss. These are the essentials of Erice:

1. The Porta Trapani It is the old main entrance to the city, and the beginning of our steps through Erice.

2. The next stop will be the Duomo dell'Assunta, with its imposing King Frederick's Tower, where you can climb to enjoy the views from the heights. They date from the fourteenth century and were ordered by King Frederick of Aragon, in Gothic style. The square where they are located is cool, and the Duomo highlights its rosette and the interior vault, decorated profusely. Admission costs € 2.50.

3. We take the main street of Erice, the Via Vittorio Emanuele, full of craft businesses, workshops, cafes and restaurants. The street goes up and enters the medieval heart of Erice. On our sides we will pass by some churches and monasteries, such as the San Salvador Monastery wave Church of San Martino, with a peculiar interior, where the white color stands out. We do not enter, although it may be worth paying the entrance of the monastery and seeing the remains of what was a palace owned by Count Enrico Chiaramonte converted into a monastery, and subsequently abandoned.

4. We will give our feet in the Piazza della Loggia, which can be a perfect place to rest for a while. There are some bars with terraces. But before arriving, at number 94 of Via Vittorio Emanuele, there is the “Garbaldi balcony“, From where the revolutionary harangued the people of Erice to rise in arms against the Spanish occupation. You can see next to an inscription where this fact is commemorated.

5. From here we take narrow streets, which will lead us to pass through thePiazza S. Domenico, theChiesa Di S. Pietro, theChiesa di San Carlo waveChiesa di San Giuliano. Until you reach theGiardino del Balio.

6. Go through it to face you with the awesomeCastello di Venere, the symbol of Erice. It is from the Norman era, it was built in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries where a temple dedicated to Venus was formerly built. It is right on top of an embankment, with clear views of the Trapani coast, so it is easy to understand the defensive importance of it. You can enter and visit most of your stays, it costs € 4.

7. If you have decided not to enter the castle, there are two viewpoints from where the views are equally impressive, with theTorretta Pepoli in the foreground and in the background down the coast. One of them is next to the second entrance gate of the castle, the second one very close, after going for a walk. This tower was built by Count Agostino Pepoli in the 19th century, as a meeting place to promote culture. It is now visitable and houses a museum dedicated to the history and culture of Erice (€ 4).

8. We will have seen the most important of Erice. From here we can return to the parking lot and thus finish the short lap, or continue walking north. If this is the case, you can visit the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, the Chiesa di San Cataldo, the Quartiere Spagnolo at the far end, and back the Porta Spada and Porta Carmine, and other smaller churches such as S. Antonio and S Orsola

In Erice there are three passes that include the entrance to a set of places of interest:

• The integrated pass of the Fondazione Erice Arte: it costs € 12 and allows you to enter the Castello di Venere, Torretta Pepoli, Polo Museale A.Cordici, Quartiere Spagnolo and Erice in Miniature. Each of the individual tickets costs € 4.
• The pass ofMEMS (Museum of Erice La Montagna del Signore): its price is € 6 and includes the entrance to the Royal Duomo, Torre di Re Federico, Monastery of S. Salvatore, Chiesa di San Martino, Chiesa di San Giuliano and Chiesa di San Giovanni. Each of the individual tickets costs € 2.50.
• The pass Erice Pass: It costs € 16 and has all the tickets included.

Make sure all the attractions are open before buying any of the passes (we are not sure but we have understood that some only open until October).

They are convenient for those who want to visit everything. We do not enter any place and we just see them from outside. More information.

Here we leave you a map of the short tour that we did in the city of Erice, with which the most interesting stops are visited.

Undoubtedly, Erice is one of the most beautiful and curious villages in Sicily. If you have the possibility: visit it! We hope that with these tips we can help you get to know the most important thing to see and do in Erice, how to get there and how to do the tour.

Video: Best Attractions and Places to See in Erice, Italy (May 2024).