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Visit Trapani
In the early twentieth century Trapani in western Sicily became the sixth port of Italy, based around salt production and tuna fishing, activities that still exist today along with agriculture, especially the production of wheat, grapes and olives.
In more recent years there has also been strong growth in the tourism industry.
Trapani: among Castles, Churches and Art
The oldest district of the old town, called "Casalicchio", has two main axes, the “Via Garibaldi”, formerly known as "Rua Nuova" and the “Corso Italia”; the layout of the medieval city as a whole is still visible. The tip of the promontory consists of a 'chessboard' structure, with only one dominant street - the “Corso Vittorio Emanuele". (The ancient city was also originally surrounded by walls but the last of these were demolished in the 19th century).
The city is rich in art and architecture from the 14th-20th centuries, which offer remarkable examples of 'Sicilian architecture and art, as seen in many religious buildings and palaces, with varying styles, ranging from the Gothic art, the so-called plateresque style (a style that includes the Italian Renaissance, Gothic and Islamic-Spanish stylistic features), and some Renaissance and Baroque influences.
From the artistic point of view, Trapani was called the "Florence of Sicily": "Trapani was a real centre for artists, particularly sculptors, authors of figurines in wood, marble and alabaster. Among them stand out Giuseppe Milanti (XVII century), Mario Ciotta (XVIII century) and Giacomo Tartaglia (1678-1751)
Visit Trapani
Our itinerary can start from the "towers" of the city, such as "The Tower of Ligny", built in the second half of the 17th century by the Viceroy Claudio Lamoraldo, which now houses the Museum of Prehistory. Nearby there is the small Church of “San Liberale”, the patron saint of fishermen of coral, built in the seventeenth century. Nearby there is also the fishing port, with in the background the “Torre della Colombaia”, called the “Torre del Castello di Mare”.
In the square "Scio" there is the Church of “Santa Epifania”, built in the 17th century by the Capuchin Fathers. Inside there is a statue of the Crucifixion by Fra’ Benedetto Valenza (18th century). In the nearby district of San Francisco there are the church and the convent of Friars Minor Conventual. The church has a Latin cross and is crowned by a large dome. In it are preserved some statues by Cristoforo Milanti (17th century), representing the moral virtues of St. Francis, a wooden crucifix of Giacomo Tartaglia (1678-1751), and a statue of St. Anthony of Padua, by Peter Orlando (17th century).
Follow along the “Via San Francesco” in Trapani to reach the Church of the 'Immacolatella" and the "Church of Purgatory," dating from the late 17th century, by Bonaventura Certo and Giovanni Amico (XVIII century). Along the "Rua Grande”, there is the Church of the College, built in the early 17th century by the Jesuits, by Natale Masuccio (1568-1619). In the church there are two paintings of "St. Ignatius", by Vito Carreca ( 17th century) and St. Francis Xavier, by Pietro Novelli (1603-1647).
In the "Rua Grande" there is the Trapani Cathedral, dedicated to San Lorenzo and built in the first half of the 14th century, following restructuring by Bonaventura Certo (1629?-1729) and Giovanni Amico (1684-1754) and painted in the 19th century by Vincenzo Manno. The church has three naves and a Latin cross; in it there are paintings by Domenico La Bruna (18th century), and a "Crucifixion" attributed to Van Dijck (1599-1641).
At the end of "Rua Grande” the “Cavarretta” Palace stands next to the clock tower . The palace, divided into three tiers, was designed by Simone Pisano (18th century) and Andrea Palma (1664-1730), with a large central rosette. The statues that adorn it are by Giuseppe Nolfo (17th century).
The Church of St. Augustine, now converted into an auditorium, is thought to date back to Norman times, and it was a temple of the Knights Templar.In the nearby Carmelite church, built in the 17th century, are preserved the "Trinity" and the "Virgin" by Vito Carreca, and a crucifix by Pietro Orlando.
Other Trapani districts:San Pietro, Casalicchio, Biscottai, Catito, Tre Badie...
Heading inland through Trapani there are the districts of San Pietro, called Casalicchio, and of St. Nicholas, called “Mezzo”. The district of San Pietro is the first area of Trapani with the Church of St. Peter, rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries. Here there are paintings by Andrea Carreca (1590-1677) and Rosario Matera (18th century), with some sculptures by Giuseppe Milanti and Mario Ciotta.
In the adjacent area known as "Biscottai" stand the “Fardelliana” Library (19th century) and the Church of Santa Maria of Jesus, dating from the 16th century, which keeps a "Madonna" by Andrea della Robbia (1435-1525), and a bas-relief by Antonello Gagini (1478-1536).
In the area known as "Catito," one of the oldest districts, stands the Church of St. Nicholas, probably erected in 536 by Belisarius (500-565 AD) as a Church of the Ascension. In the eighteenth century it was enlarged and designed by Giovanni Amico. The altarpiece on the main altar is by Antonello Gagini.
In the district called “Tre Badie”, there are the Convent and Church of San Domenico built by the Dominican Friars on the ruins of the Church of “Santa Maria la Nova.” Here are preserved the tombs of the kings of Navarre, and the tomb of Manfredi (1232-1266), the son of Frederick II of Swabia. There we can also admire an ancient crucifix in a chapel erected by Giovanni Amico and paintings by Andrea Carreca and Rosario Matera, and a group of sculptures of the Madonna of the Rosary by the Neapolitan school.
From the church of San Domenico, via a staircase called " ‘Calata’ of San Domenico" we pass on the ancient “Rua Nova”, now “Via Garibaldi”. Along the street there are palaces and churches of great artistic value, such as the Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso ( called “Badia Nuova”), with a wealth of polychrome marble; it is rich in paintings by Guglielmo Borremans [1672-1744] (Madonna del Rosario), Pietro Novelli (St. Dominic) and Andrea Carreca (Santa Catherine).
In the Church of “Santa Maria dell'Itria”, built in the second half of the seventeenth century by the Augustinians Discalced and designed by Pietro Castro (17th century), are kept a crucifix by Pietro Orlando and paintings of St. Nicholas of Tolentino by Andrea Carreca and “Sant ' Agostino”, by Pietro Novelli. We conclude with the Shrine of the Annunciation and the Museum Pepoli. The church is of Baroque style, with a nave, with 16 large columns and wide eaves. The prospect that now looks out onto the “Via Pepoli” has a pointed arch and a large rose-window. Inside there is a picture of the Annunciation by Rosario Matera. Under the canopy supported by eight marble columns, there is the statue of the “Madonna di Trapani”, of Parian marble, by Nino Pisano ( 13th century).
Pepoli Museum, Trapani
The “Pepoli” Museum is housed in the former convent of the Discalced Carmelites. On the ground floor are gravestones, inscriptions, architectural fragments and sculptures; on the first floor there is also the art gallery with works from the 13th to the 18th century. There are works of the Flemish, Roman and Sicilian School. Among these we mention a “Pieta” by Roberto Oderisio (1335-1382), a “Madonna” of the so-called “Master of the polyptych of Trapani”(14th/15th century), and “St. Francis with the stigmata” by Titian (1485-1576). Finally, also worthy of consideration are the sculpture collection in coral, ivory, and alabaster and some pieces of silverware by Filippo Iuvara (1678-1736). Of considerable interest in the gallery of tiles are the floors depicting the coral fishing and the tunny net.
Trapani and the Mediterranean Sea
The sea is the key element of Trapani so there is no better way to finish our journey than with a look at the salt pans of Trapani and Paceco, along the "Via del Sale," which runs from Trapani to Marsala along the coast - in some places it has a great natural importance, characterized by a flora and fauna with species typical of the saline environment.
Local cuisine
Finally, we cannot forget the cuisine of Trapani, which is clearly influenced by its role as a maritime town. The dinner tables abound with preparations of fish, especially tuna. Long and well established is the tradition concerning the tuna fish that still follows the traditions and methods handed down by the Arabs. The tuna is cooked in different ways, fried, grilled, baked, boiled or used in the preparation of sauces to flavor dishes or appetizers. Among other typical products are the black bread of Castelvetrano, the so-called "cabbuccio", and the cheese called “vastedda.” Obviously you should try these dishes with the typical wines of the area as the Marsala and the “Passito”, wines derived from the typical grapes of the island.
See also Trapani history and etymology.
See the the Sicily travel guide for more places to visit in the same region as Trapani.