Trapani
Trapani
The Greeks called it Drepanon, sickle, the Romans Drepanum, reconnecting the city’s origin to the myth of Ceres, goddess of grain crops, who desperate to find her kidnapped daughter Persephone, lost the sickle she was holding in her hand, precisely where Trapani appeared. The layout of the city – a double sickle that juts into the sea almost dividing the Tyrrhenian Sea from the Mediterranean, still refers back to the ancient name.
Trapani’s Elymian-Punic origins saw its emergence as Erice’s port and fishing village. Hamilcar Barca around 260 BC built the Castello di terra (Castle on the Land) and the Sea Castle, the first facilities of the city defensive system. For centuries, Trapani’s history and economy have always been strongly connected to the sea, due to the favourable position of its port, facilitating trade with Africa. Trapani became particularly important under the Arabs to whom we owe the layout of the oldest urban fabric. James of Aragon in 1286 enlarged it, while Emperor Charles V, stopping over in Trapani on return from Tunis in 1535, ordered the extension of the walls to the west.
It has a picturesque historical centre which in the oldest part, preserves paved streets and houses with courtyards of Arabic influence.
The wealth of the architectural heritage from the 14th to the 20th century is represented by the 14th century churches of St. Augustine and St. Dominic with characteristic Chiaramonte Gothic rose windows, the beautiful church of Santa Maria di Gesù in late-Gothic style, the 16th century Giudecca in Plateresque style with a tower covered in diamond pointed bossages, the 17th century Palazzo Senatorio, the baroque church of the Jesuit College, internally decorated with magnificent stucco and variegated marbles, the austere cathedral of San Lorenzo (17th cent.), with a narthex by Trapani’s own G. B. Amico.
No less significant outside the historic centre is the 14th-century Sanctuary of the Annunciation, with a rose window on the main façade and remarkable 14th and 15th-century chapels. Next to the Sanctuary rises the former convent of the Carmelites, now the Regional Museum “Agostino Pepoli”, with a splendid cloister.
Outside the historical centre is the 14th-century sanctuary of the Annunciation, home to the precious marble statue of the Madonna di Trapani, by Nino Pisano (c.1360). The adjacent former convent of the Carmelites is now the seat of the “A. Pepoli ” Regional Museum which houses collections of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts; and a well documented production of Trapani coral, with works from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Agriturismo Vultaggio – CIR 19081021B501357
contrada Misiliscemi, 4 - 91100 Misiliscemi (TP)Immersed in the Sicilian countryside, just 10 km from the capital, Agriturismo Vultaggio is a renovated farmhouse, complete with a swimming pool and wellness center.
B&B MaryJosè – CIR 19081021C101183
via Passo Enea, 70 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Overlooking the sea, the B&B Maryjosè borders several equipped beaches, in a place with a spectacular view, in the historic center of the city.
DiVino Hotel – CIR 190810021A301358
Strada Marsala, 271 - 91100 Rilievo (TP)3-star hotel 10 minutes from the airport with bio-design swimming pool, wine bar and cellars for a relaxing and fun holiday!
Le Cupole Suites & Apartments
via Serraglio San Pietro, 2/4 - 91100 Trapani (TP)A design hotel-house, with spacious and bright suites in the historic heart of Trapani.
Relais Antiche Saline – CIR 19081013A201737
Cortile della saline - 91027 Nubia Paceco (TP)Located within the Saline di Trapani and Paceco Nature Reserve, the hotel offers a swimming pool, wellness center, restaurant and rooms equipped with every comfort.
Villa Angelina Resort – CIR 19081021B404424, CIR 19081021B404426
via Marconi, 218 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Prestigious structure at the foot of Mount Erice, with rooms and apartments surrounded by a large ornamental garden, an olive grove and an orange grove.
Zibibbo Suites & Rooms – CIR 19081021B402139
via Libertà, 37 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Apartments, rooms and suites in the heart of Trapani, a few steps from the beach of the Mura di Tramontana and the port.
2-course menu in fryer A Nassa
via Serisso, 39 - 91026 Trapani (TP)Special two-course street food menu in fryer A Nassa di Trapani, with a bag of fried fish.
3-course menu at La Locanda sul Mare
via Scilla, 2 - 91100 Trapani (TP)3-course menu on a stilted terrace overlooking the sea, with spectacular views of the Egadi islands and breathtaking sunsets.
3-course menu at the Salamureci Restaurant
piazza Generale Sciò 17/18 - 91100 Trapani (TP)3-course menu in the historic center of Trapani, with the dishes of the young chef Michele Bellezza at Salmureci Restaurant, where Trapani tradition meets innovation.
3-course menu at the Serisso 47 Restaurant
via Serisso 47 - 91100 Trapani (TP)3-course menu with traditional Trapani dishes revisited in a modern way by chef Gaetano Basiricò.
3-course menu at the Stravento Restaurant
via delle Sirene 15/17 - 91100 Trapani (TP)3-course menu with quality raw materials, on the north promenade of Trapani, next to the historic center and with a terrace overlooking the sea.
3-course menu at the Tavernetta ai Lumi
corso Vittorio Veneto Emanuele, 73/77 - 91100 Trapani (TP)3-course menu with typical Trapani specialties at the Tavernetta ai Lumi in Trapani.
3-course menu from Cantina Siciliana
Via Giudecca, 36 - 91100 Trapani (TP)3-course lunch or dinner at the characteristic Cantina Siciliana in Trapani.
Bike tour in the Trapani Center with Street Food
via Osorio, 10 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Guided bike tour in the Trapani center, to discover city center and its main points of interest, with street food specialties included.
Bike Tour of the Salt Pans of Trapani
via Osorio, 10 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Bike tour of about 3 hours to discover the naturalistic beauties of the Saline di Trapani and Paceco nature reserve.
Boat trip, fishing lesson and lunch on board
piazza Umberto I, 42 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Daily boat trip with fisherman, fishing lesson and lunch on board with typical local products.
Cooking lesson and lunch included by Cantina Siciliana
Via Giudecca, 36 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Sicilian cooking lesson with lunch included based on typical products at Cantina Siciliana.
Guided tour of the Coralli e Preziosi artisan workshop
Via Antonino Roasi, 11 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Free guided tour of the Coralli e Preziosi artisan workshop, between ancient craftsmanship and creative imagination.
Guided tour of the Culcasi Salt Pans and the Museum
via Garibaldi, 46/A Nubia - 91027 Paceco (TP)Guided tour of the Museum and the Culcasi Salt Pans of the Oriented Reserve of the Trapani and Paceco salt pans, protected by the WWF.
Local cooking class at the Nuara Gastronomic Culture Center
via Pietretagliate, 27 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Local cooking class at the Nuara Gastronomic Culture Center in Trapani.
Oil tasting with typical dishes menu in Baglio Fontanasalsa
via Cosenza 78 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Guided oil tasting with the oils of Baglio Fontanasalsa, with menus based on dishes that have our extra virgin olive oil as protagonist.
Sicilian cooking class in Baglio Elena
via Pietretagliate, 27 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Sicilian cooking lesson in Baglio Elena, in the Trapani countryside.
Tasting of typical products at Cantina Siciliana
Via Giudecca, 36 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Tasting of typical products at the characteristic Cantina Siciliana in Trapani.
The Red Shrimp and the Mediterranean catch Tour – 3 days
Mazara del ValloDiscover Mazara del Vallo, a splendid town famous above all for its casbah, the fascinating and colourful Arab quarter which is the beating heart of the town, as well as for its red prawns.
Transfer Palermo Airport – Trapani
Via Vita, 8 - 91100 Trapani (TP)Private transfer from Palermo Airport to the city of Trapani for 2 people.