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Visit Erice
Erice is a sizable town found in north-west Sicily near Trapani. It has been an important regional centre for at least 2000 years (see also history of Erice)
A visit to Erice can start with the cyclopean walls that surround the town: their origins date back to the Elymians, but suffered some later re-arrangements by the Phoenicians, Romans and even by the Normans. The cyclopean walls are interrupted by towers and three gates.
The castle of Erice, called “Venus Castle”, was built during the Norman domination in the same place where there was an ancient pagan temple dedicated to the cult of Venus; inside the mansion we can admire even today a well where, according to the legend, Venus bathed in milk. The castle was always considered important for the military control of the territory; the fortress was a “Royal square” until the 16th century, and was also home to a garrison of soldiers. In the early 1800s, with the administrative reform of the Kingdom of the two Sicilies, the castle became the property of the municipality.
Another important sight is the Gothic style Mother Church, of which construction probably began 1312 for Frederick II of Aragon (1272-1337) using material from the ruins of the pagan temple of Venus. At its core, a true treasure awaits the visitor; 70 precious works of silverware, jewellery, alabaster, ivory, painting, sculpture, coral and gold and silk embroidery, all dated between the 14th and 19th century.
Next to the Cathedral is the Bell Tower, also known as the Tower of King Frederick, 28 meters high and built at the end of the 13th century on the ruins of a previous watchtower. The Church has three naves divided by columns and some stucco decoration on the pillars. Entering, the first altar on the right has a painting by Orazio Ferraro da Giuliana (XVII century), representing Saint Isidore (1622), to whom the peasants and workers of Erice were devotees. The statue in the third Chapel of the “Madonna Assunta” is interesting by Domenico Gagini (1420-1492). The altar has a wooden choir of the 19th century.
Erice churches
There are several important and interesting churches in Erice, and containing various important artworks:
On the highest point of the Mount there is the Church of San Giuliano, built in 1076 by Count Ruggero to thank the Saint for his intervention during the siege by the Muslims. Beside the church there is the 'Oratory of the 33, named for the number of members of the Congregation of Sacramento who wanted the edification of the Church in 1636. Entering, on the right we note the original baptismal, placed on the Octagon stairs of Libyan marble, realised by Leonardo Crivaglia in 1718. Then there is a fresco of the Saints Jesuits and heart of Jesus. Looking towards the apse, there is the chapel of St. Giuliano, whose wooden statue is the work by Pietro Orlando (17th century). Raising our gaze we see a bas-relief stucco - a decoration designed by Pietro Dell'Orto (18th century). Pietro Dell’ Orto is the artist of the plaster statue of Heart SS. of Jesus on the main altar. To the left is the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary and statue in stucco (1605) by Orazio Ferraro. The exterior of the Church is characterised by the Renaissance portal but even more from the presence of the Bell Tower (accessible from the sacristy, added in 1770) and its roof pagoda - the two superimposed orders form a pleasant ensemble with the dome of the Church.
The Church of San Martino, erected by the will of Count Roger, dates back to 1339 but it was probably established by the Normans in the 12th century. Initially small and of Gothic style, it was demolished and rebuilt in the second half of the 17th century and was the subject of further interventions during the 18th century and to the present. The building is situated on a small square; of Baroque style, it presents a bust of “San Martino” and, laterally, the “souls in Purgatory”. Entering, the refinement of Renaissance decorations and a predominant white colour with profiles underlined by the elegance of black line strikes the visitor; the layout is a Latin cross form with three naves; the floor is from the 18th century. The Church presents several works by the Manno brothers Antonino and Vincenzo (18th century) and Pietro D'Andrea, called the "Poma" (18th century). Their works are found on all the altars and the Central where is portrayed “Jesus that free the souls from purgatory” by Vincenzo Manno.
The Church of Saint John the Baptist is the widest of Erice. Although now mainly used for cultural events, it holds some of the most valuable works of sacred art to be found in Erice. With a single nave, it has a short transept with a majestic and high dome. At the bottom of the apse there is the statue of Saint John the Baptist, dated 1539 and by Antonio Gagini from a family of sculptors who introduced the Renaissance style in Sicily. As we can see, the Lamb (that is, symbolically, Jesus) is placed on a closed book; and only Jesus, with his immolation, will open it to redeem the world. In the base are carved the "Martyrdom of the Saint", "Herodias that delivery to the skull of the Holy Mother" and "The baptism of Jesus." Antonello Gagini sculpted in 1531 the "San Giovanni Evangelista", on the right of the transept. At his feet in bas-relief were depicted "The martyrdom of the Saint" and a figure in prayer. On the altar, on the left of the transept, there are two marble statues. They have been attributed to Gabriele di Battista (16th century), a Lombard sculptor who worked for some years in Palermo and engraved them in 1497. Commissioned by the brotherhood of St. John, they have the theme "The visit of Mary to Elizabeth". Below them are represented "The embrace between the two cousins" and the "Annunciation".
Arts and tradition in Erice
The tradition of handicraft is very deep-rooted in Erice and includes the manufacture of iron; a job which between the 16th and 17th centuries constituted one of the most influential guilds, and of which the consul was usually the eldest of the Cetino family. In the town are still visible some ancient artefacts of wrought iron located in palaces, churches and monuments such as the gate which close the chapel of the Church of San Giovanni Battista, a work of rare technical perfection because the maestro Carlo Cetino (19th century) managed to transform the hard pig iron into a work of elegant lines.
Wood was a raw material appreciated especially by the men of Mounts; the "Axe Masters" of Erice were well known for their perfection and their seriousness; their work is particularly represented in furniture. The tradition of ceramists runs from modest small objects to material designed for decorations of houses. The ancient carpet of Erice is characterized by intertwining of colourful cloth over a light background or dark tonality carefully chosen, while the colours draw shapes, Arabesque lines, and sinuous geometric with succession.
Local cuisine
The traditional cuisine has long been passed through generations and communities in the area. Especially important were the larger lunch rituals celebrated in honour of the goddess Ericina, involving not only the priestesses but also many pilgrims who went on the Mount for sacrificing, food and drinks. Famous in antiquity were meat, dairy products, and cheese that were used in honour of the goddess Venus, and still today the festivities are set for dinner plates of "Cassatele" ["Cassateddi"], ravioli ricotta and "tumma"; while from a very distant past we have the "Milidde", a biscuit flavoured with oil and sesame.