Photos of the Breath Taking Medieval Hill Top Castles of Erice and incredible views over Sicily. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams. (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)
Photos of the Medieval Hill Top Castles of Erice, Sicily
Photos of the Medieval Castles of Erice commune of Trapani, Sicily.
Foundation of Erice
Founded by the Phoenicians Erice is located on top of Mount Ericeat around 750 metres (2,460 ft) above sea level, overlooking the coastal city of Trapani. It was conquered by the Aghlabids in 831 and was renamed as Cebel Hamid (Mountain of Hamid). It was ruled by the Arabs until the Norman conquest. In 1167 the Normans renamed it Monte San Giuliano, a name maintained until the 20th century.
The Temple of Venus Ericina
Today it has been renamed Erice after the Greek goddess Venus Ericina, whose Greek Temple stood on the mountain top. Legend has it that the temple was founded by Aeneas. It was well known throughout the Mediterranean ancient world as an important cult temple. 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.
Norman Castello di Venere
The Normans built a big castle over the Greek Venus Ericina Temple ruins naming it Castello di Venere (Venus Castle). It is a typical Norman style castle with central Keep and curtain walls. It had a commanding view of the area around and out to sea.
Below Catello di Venere on a rock pillar is built the Saracen style castle Torretta Pepoli. Built between 1872 and 1880 by Agostino Pepoli, it was used to welcome literary friends of the time and as a place of study for his archaeological research. Conceived by the Count, its unprecedented architectural style, recalls, Moorish medieval architecture with a hint of Art Nouveau references. It was restored as a museum in 2014
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