Trapani is a port city in Sicily that combines a specific Sicilian temperament, a rich social life and monuments scattered among the buildings. All this creates an interesting mix that allows you to get to know ordinary Sicily, a bit away from the main tourist traffic.
The most important place for both the inhabitants of the city and other parts of Sicily is the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Trapani, where prayers were already made in the 14th century. Inside there is a life-size statue of the Mother of God which is an object of worship and pilgrimage destination.
Due to its strategic location on the western edge of Sicily, the city was already surrounded by fortifications in the Middle Ages. Today, from the sea, above the narrow beach, you can see the Tramontana Walls, above which the city buildings rise. A part of the fortifications is the Colombaia Castle standing on an islet at the entrance to the Port of Trapani.
The oldest part of Trapani is a combination of buildings from different eras. The most valuable are the 15th-century St. Lawrence, with numerous baroque and classicist elements, the Church of Santa Maria dell'Itria with a facade decorated with columns, the Church of St. Peter, the Church of Badia Nuova and the Porta Oscura - Clock Tower. Among the buildings is Trapani's greatest attraction, the huge Fish Market that has been held for centuries in Piazza Mercato del Pesce.
The city is also known for its museums that allow you to learn about the life of its former inhabitants. These include The Regional Museum of Pepoli, the Municipal Museum, the Ligny Tower, and a treat for art lovers, the Museum of Contemporary Art La Salerina. A family attraction is the Museum of Illusions in Trapani.
