Primo itinerario

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What to see in Trapani

Trapani, nicknamed the city of the sea and sailing, after the glorious experience of Acts 8 & 9 of the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2005, has always seen its sea as a source of life and wealth for both tourism and the fishing industry, and particularly for coral fishing.

The great coral masters of Tra pa ni are, in fact, famous all over the world. And since the second half of the 1500s, they have made the city famouswith their precious works of art.

A beautiful collection of coral works is exhibited in the Pepoli Museum which is housed in the Carmelite monastery adjacent to the sanctuary which houses the marble statue of the Madonna of Trapani, the patron saint of the city, together with St. Alberto and the diocese.

During the month of August, until the15th, a pilgrimage called, in fact, "Quindicina" - "Fortnight", to the chapel of the Madonna has now been repeated for centuries. It culminates on Aug 16th on the occasion of the feast of the Madonna of Trapani, whose cult was approved by the Vatican in 2006.

Going towards the historic centre you can visit the old Jewish quarter, which is one of the oldest areas of the city, and the Palace Cavarretta, once the ancient seat of the Senate of Trapani, now home to the City Council and some offices.

Another important monument in the town is the Palazzo Riccio S. Gioacchino, seat of the Presiden cy of the Province of Trapani, which is also renovated. Inside is a lift-equipped for the disabled and for the blind. In fact, it has a device with an acoustic alarm and the keypad is in Braille.

The heart of the old town of Trapani is full of churches, as well as the Cathedral and the Jesuit College, there is the ancient Church of Purgatory, which houses the sacred 'Misteri' groups, which, on Good Friday, are carried in a procession through the streets of the historic centre.

. In addition there is the Colombaia Castle and the Ligny Tower.

Trapani and the sea are an inseparable couple, and with the sea in mind,we cannot forget the salt pans and salt cultivation, one of Trapani's main exported products. Along the route called "The Salt Road", we see many windmills, five of them recently renovated.

Trapani has a city bus service. The ATM Trapani Azienda Trasporti e Mobilità (Transport and Mobility Company) manages this service within the municipality of Trapani, Erice and Paceco with 10 urban and 3 suburban lines.

All ATM means of transport are wheelchair accessible with ramps which are activated manually or mechanically. In the summer, the company offers the possibility of transportation in two open top double-decker buses which are accessible to passengers in wheelchairs allowing panoramic tours of the city.

Since 2008 The city has had a Centre for Mobility Services, which is the crux of transport within the city as well as transport to other suburban municipalities in the province, to Palermo and Agrigento, to the port area, andfinally to the Airport of Trapani - Birgi.

The City Terminal is equipped with a modern welcoming centre for the users in which you can ask for information about routes and travel times.

A few kilometres from Trapani is Paceco, located near the Natural Reserve of Salt Pans of Trapani and Paceco. The ancient medieval village of Erice rises at about 750 m above sea level. It was called Monte S. Giuliano until 1934. The village is full of narrow cobbled streets which are very characteristic but which make any trip there difficult, even with transport for the disabled. (This excludes the perimeter paths around the village).

Not to be missed is the Castle of Venus and the Mother Church. The Church of St. Domenico, now disused, is home to the prestigious "Ettore Maiorana" International Centre for Scientific Cultu re, but let's not forget that Erice is also famous for its pastries.

Descending from Erice, we arrive in Valderice which is nestled in a pine forest where, during the sum mer time, cultural events are held in the splendid St. Barnaba theatre. Moving towards the coast of Bonagia, you can admire the ancient tower of the tuna fishery, home to a museum.

Continuing along the coast, and ascending, is the town of Custonaci which became an independent municipality in 1948, and is one of the most important marble centres of Italy.

The Sanctuary of the Madonna of Custonaci is not to be missed. It houses the portrait of the Madonna of Custonaci which, in 2009, after 73 years, was once more carried in a procession, landing on the coast of Cornino, according to a tradition which for centuries had been repeated on the last Wednesday in August.

Inland is Buseto Palizzolo, whose name derives from busit (earth) and from the family Palizzolo to whom it was assigned in 1563 by Carlo V.