In ancient times, the city of Eryx (Erice) was one of the three largest cities of the Elymians, along with Segesta and Entella.
We enter the city through a gate (Porta Trapani) in the city wall dating back to Punic times..
Castello di Venere
The Norman-style castle from the 12th/13th century stands on the site of the former acropolis of Eryx. Inside, you can see the remains of the Roman temple of Venus Erycina, a sacred well and a dovecote. The towers were once connected to the castle only by a drawbridge.
The mountain was originally home to a sanctuary dedicated first to the Phoenician goddess Astarte and then to Aphrodite or Venus Erycina. In ancient times, the sanctuary was famous for its wealth and the temple prostitution that took place there.
The castle has a viewpoint overlooking San Vito Lo Capo.
Chiesa Madre S. Maria dell'Assunta
The church was built in 1312/14 under King Frederick II of Aragon using material from a pagan temple that originally stood on the site, which was dedicated to Venus Ericina. Venus Ericina is the goddess of impure love, i.e. prostitutes.
The nave collapsed in 1853. The church was restored in the neo-Gothic style. Today it mainly serves as a museum.
Old town
The Baroque bell tower belongs to the Chiesa di S. Giuliano. According to tradition, the church was founded by the Norman ruler Roger I of Sicily. Between 1612 and 1615, it was rebuilt into a larger structure with three naves. In 1926, part of the building collapsed and the church was closed. After almost eighty years, it was reopened on 26 December 2005.
The most famous alley in the old town is Via Vittorio Emanuele.
