- Erice
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- For the Spanish film director, see Victor Erice.
Erice — Comune — Comune di Erice Location of Erice in Italy
EriceCoordinates: 38°2′13″N 12°35′11″E / 38.03694°N 12.58639°ECoordinates: 38°2′13″N 12°35′11″E / 38.03694°N 12.58639°E Country Italy Region 
SicilyProvince Trapani (TP) Frazioni Napola, Ballata, Casa Santa, Pizzolungo Government – Mayor Ignazio Sanges (since November 26, 2001) Area – Total 47 km2 (18.1 sq mi) Elevation 751 m (2,464 ft) Population (November 30, 2005) – Total 28,880 – Density 614.5/km2 (1,591.5/sq mi) Demonym Ericini Time zone CET (UTC+1) – Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2) Postal code 0923 Dialing code 91016 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.
Narrow alleyway.
Erice is located on top of Mount Erice, at around 750m 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.
Contents
History
Main article: Eryx (Sicily)The ancient name of Erice was Eryx, and its foundation was associated with the eponymous Greek hero Eryx. It was not a Greek colony, 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 over 3 centuries until Norman conquest in 1167. 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.
Gallery
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The main church -
The Norman castle -
View towards Monte Cofano -
View towards Trapani -
Torretta Pepoli -
Clouds approaching Erice -
Hillside of Erice seen from the lowlands -
Remains of the ancient temple of venus -
Venus fountain -
Venus fountain -
Panoramic view from Erice -
Panoramic view from Erice -
Panoramic view from Erice -
Panoramic view from Erice
External links
Sicily · Comuni of the Province of Trapani Alcamo · Buseto Palizzolo · Calatafimi-Segesta · Campobello di Mazara · Castellammare del Golfo · Castelvetrano · Custonaci · Erice · Favignana · Gibellina · Marsala · Mazara del Vallo · Paceco · Pantelleria · Partanna · Petrosino · Poggioreale · Salaparuta · Salemi · San Vito Lo Capo · Santa Ninfa · Trapani · Valderice · VitaCategories:- Cities and towns in Sicily
- Municipalities of the Province of Trapani
- Elymians
- Archaeological sites in Sicily
- Phoenician colonies in Sicily
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