Erice

For the Spanish film director, see Victor Erice.

Erice
Comune
Città di Erice
View of Erice View of Erice
Erice Location of Erice in Italy
Coordinates:
Country	Italy
Region	Sicily
Province / Metropolitan city	Trapani (TP)
Frazioni	Ballata, Casa Santa, Crocefissello, Napola, Pizzolungo, Rigaletta, San Cusumano, Torretta
Government
• Mayor	Giacomo Tranchida (since 2007)
Area
• Total	47 km2 (18 sq mi)
Elevation	751 m (2,464 ft)
Population (November 30, 2005)
• Total	28,880
• Density	610/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Ericini
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	91016
Dialing code	0923
Patron saint	SS. Mary of Custonaci
Website	Official website

Erice (Italian pronunciation: [ˈɛːritʃe]; Sicilian: Èrici ) is a historic town and comune in the province of Trapani in Sicily, Italy.

Geography

Erice is located on top of Mount Erice, at around 750 metres (2,460 ft) above sea level, overlooking the city of Trapani, the low western coast towards Marsala, the dramatic Punta del Saraceno and Capo San Vito to the north-east, and the Aegadian Islands on Sicily's north-western coast, providing spectacular views.

The bordering municipalities are Buseto Palizzolo, Paceco, Trapani, Valderice and Custonaci. The hamlets (frazioni) are Ballata, Casa Santa, Crocefissello, Napola, Pizzolungo, Rigaletta, San Cusumano and Torretta.

History

File:Erice-streets-bjs-3.jpg

Narrow alleyway

Main article: Eryx (Sicily)

The ancient Greek name of Erice was Eryx (Έρυξ in Greek), and its foundation was associated with the eponymous Greek hero Eryx. It was not a Greek colony, as the Phoenicians founded it, but was largely Hellenized. It was destroyed in the First Punic War by the Carthaginians, and from then on declined in importance.

Eryx was conquered by Aghlebids in 831 and was renamed as Cebel Hamid (In Western sources Gebel Hamed, meaning Mountain of Hamid). It was ruled by Arabs until the Norman conquest. In 1167 the Normans renamed it Monte San Giuliano. It was known as Monte San Giuliano until 1934.

Main sights

In the northeastern portion of the city there are the remains of ancient Elymian and Phoenician walls indicating different stages of settlement and occupation in antiquity.

There are two castles that remain in the city: Pepoli Castle, which dates from Saracen times, and the Venus Castle, dating from the Norman period, built on top of the ancient Temple of Venus, where Venus Ericina was worshipped. According to legend, the temple was founded by Aeneas. It was well known throughout the Mediterranean area in the ancient age, and an important cult was celebrated in it. In his book On the Nature of Animals, Aelian writes that animals chosen for sacrifice would voluntarily walk up to the altar to be killed.

A cable car (funivia) runs from the outskirts of Trapani to the town of Erice. The cablecar closes from mid January to mid March.

Culture

Erice hosts important scientific meetings at the Ettore Majorana center, organised by the controversial astrophysicist Antonino Zichichi. Also an annual Workshop on Molecular Gastronomy.

Gallery

• Erice-Chiesa-Madre-bjs-1.jpg

  The main church
• Erice Sicily Italy 23.jpg

  The Norman castle
• Erice Sicily Italy 34.jpg

  View towards Monte Cofano
• Erice Sicily Italy 37.jpg

  View towards Trapani
• Erice Sicily Italy 20.jpg

  Torretta Pepoli
• Erice Sicily Italy 14.jpg

  Clouds approaching Erice
• Erice Sicily Italy 18.jpg

  Hillside of Erice seen from the lowlands
• Erice Sicily Italy 26.jpg

  Remains of the ancient temple of venus
• Venus fountain Erice Sicily Italy 01.jpg

  Venus fountain
• Venus fountain Erice Sicily Italy 02.jpg

  Venus fountain
• Panoramic Erice Sicily Italy 01.jpg

  Panoramic view from Erice
• Panoramic Erice Sicily Italy 02.jpg

  Panoramic view from Erice
• Panoramic Erice Sicily Italy 03.jpg

  Panoramic view from Erice
• Panoramic Erice Sicily Italy 04.jpg

  Panoramic view from Erice
• Map of the Mura di Erice.png

  Map of the Old City Wall

External links

• Photo Gallery Erice
• Panoramic view from Erice castle
• Erice Photo Assay
• The Spanish family de Erice