Trapani is a coastal town on the northwest coast of Sicily. The city developed as a Sican village, later called by the Greeks Drepanon (sickle) possibly because of the shape of the promontory the old city was placed on. In the 8th Cent. BC it became a Phoenician port of call and, in the first Punic War, a Carthaginian strategic base. Later, under the Romans, it was a minor trade and maritime center. In 440 AD, it was invaded by the Vandals, in 477 it fell to the Byzantines, and in about 830 it was taken by the Muslims, who made it one of the richest and most prosperous cities in Sicily, developing its maritime activities and its gold and coral handicraft. The Normans conquered it in 1077. In 1282 it took part in the uprising against the Angevins (the War of the Sicilian Vespers).
Between the 13th and 15th centuries, its size was extended. It started to decline in the late 16th century. In the following century, Charles V fortified the town walls and trade again prospered. Many new salt-pans were created, some of which are still active today. However, this did not stop the general decline of the economy. In 1860, it was actively involved in uprisings against the Bourbons and, even before the arrival of Garibaldi and his army, forced them to fee the city.
Of interest is the Museo Pepoli and the Palazzo d'Ali (20th cent.) which houses the town hall. Also the Palazzo Adragna-Riccio, Palazzo Cavarretta (18th cent.), Torre di Ligny (1671), Museo della Preistoria e Protostoria, Torre della Colombaia, Lazzaretto, and Palazzo della Giudecca (16th cent.). There is also the Museo del Sale and nature reserve. Very interesting is the Procession of the Mysteries that takes place on the Good Friday night.
Courtesy www.sicilybella.com
Trapani was the venue for the 2005 Louis Vuitton Americas Cup yacht race.
View of the city from Erice, the mountain-top town behind Trapani.
Salt making is one of the local traditional industries.
View of the old town center.
Click here to return home.