Erice is called the medieval pearl of Sicily. The city is built on top of a mountain with a wonderful view of nearby Trapani. It was erected on the ruins of an ancient town and has retained its historical appearance to this day.
The city takes its name from the mythical ruler of the Elymans, Eryx. It occurs, inter alia, in the tales of Hercules. Historically, it was founded in the 5th century BC and an important center of worship of the goddess Venus was located here. Today, on the site of her temple, there is the medieval Castle of Venus , and in the place where the local Acropolis was located, you can see the historic Pepoli Tower .
Erice's attractions are primarily related to the location of the city and its buildings. It stands on a rocky mountain and the easiest way to get there is by the Trapani-Erice Railway . The Porta Trapani gate leads to the old town, behind which is a tangle of streets with stone houses, old churches, including the Church of San Giuliano, and limited vehicle traffic.
The village offers excellent views of Trapani downstream, the Sicilian coast and the nearby Egadi Islands. The best vantage point is the Balio Garden located on the cliff.
