{"id":10092,"date":"2021-06-12T08:33:19","date_gmt":"2021-06-12T08:33:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/uncategorized\/what-to-see-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/"},"modified":"2025-05-08T14:14:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T14:14:10","slug":"things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/","title":{"rendered":"What to see in Erice in a day &#8211; A return to the Middle Ages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-auto kksr-align-left kksr-valign-top\"\n    data-payload='{&quot;align&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;10092&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;valign&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;ignore&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;reference&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;count&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;legendonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;readonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;score&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;starsonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;best&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;7&quot;,&quot;greet&quot;:&quot;Vote article&quot;,&quot;legend&quot;:&quot;0\\\/5 - (0 votes)&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;What to see in Erice in a day - A return to the Middle Ages&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;_legend&quot;:&quot;{score}\\\/{best} - ({count} {votes})&quot;,&quot;font_factor&quot;:&quot;1.25&quot;}'>\n            \n<div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 0px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 7px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                \n\n<div class=\"kksr-legend\" style=\"font-size: 19.2px;\">\n            <span class=\"kksr-muted\">Vote article<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/#What_to_see_in_Erice\" >What to see in Erice<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/#The_cathedral_and_the_historic_center\" >The cathedral and the historic center<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/#The_Cyclopean_Walls_and_the_Spanish_Quarter\" >The Cyclopean Walls and the Spanish Quarter<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/#The_castle_of_Venus\" >The castle of Venus<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/#The_Towers_and_The_Balio_Garden\" >The Towers and The Balio Garden<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/#What_to_eat_in_Erice\" >What to eat in Erice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/#Interactive_map_of_Erice_%E2%80%93_Points_of_interest_marked_in_purple\" >Interactive map of Erice &#8211; Points of interest marked in purple<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/#What_to_see_around_Erice\" >What to see around Erice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/things-to-do-in-erice-a-return-to-the-middle-ages\/#Most_popular_activities_for_tourists_in_Sicily\" >Most popular activities for tourists in Sicily<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span>Introduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Erice is a small village near Trapani, about 750 meters above the sea.<strong> Once you arrive it seems to take a dip in the Norman-medieval era<\/strong> . It is truly a fairytale place, where time seems to have stopped. To get there you can take the cable car from Trapani as I did and enjoy the breathtaking views overlooking <a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/what-to-see-in-trapani-between-sea-history-and-salt-pans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trapani<\/a>, the salt pans and the Egadi Islands. Alternatively, you can get in your car and park at the beginning of the village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The city was probably founded as<a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/segesta-and-its-imposing-greek-temple\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Segesta<\/a> by the Elymians, and then passed into the hands of poles such as Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and Normans. For a long time here, already during its foundation by the Elymians, the goddess of fertility, beauty and love was celebrated. The celebration of this goddess continued throughout the centuries, in fact she was worshipped by the Phoenicians as Astarte, by the Greeks as Aphrodite, and by the Romans as Venus Ericina.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just think that at night, a large fire lit in the sacred area served as a beacon for sailors and his fame and cult thus spread throughout the Mediterranean. Let us now go on to find out what to see and eat in Erice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_see_in_Erice\"><\/span>What to see in Erice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-il-duomo-e-il-centro-storico\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_cathedral_and_the_historic_center\"><\/span>The cathedral and the historic center<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you arrive you will find yourself in front of the 1300 Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption and the beautiful bell tower used as a lookout tower. Both can be visited (2.50 Euros +2.50 Euros, there is also the possibility of buying a single combined ticket valid for the other monuments of the city) and from the bell tower you will enjoy a magnificent view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"691\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/building-tower-castle-place-of-worship-medieval-architecture-duomo-891388-pxhere.com_-1024x691.jpg\" alt=\"Erice Cathedral\" class=\"wp-image-6367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/building-tower-castle-place-of-worship-medieval-architecture-duomo-891388-pxhere.com_-1024x691.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/building-tower-castle-place-of-worship-medieval-architecture-duomo-891388-pxhere.com_-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/building-tower-castle-place-of-worship-medieval-architecture-duomo-891388-pxhere.com_-768x518.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/building-tower-castle-place-of-worship-medieval-architecture-duomo-891388-pxhere.com_.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A short distance from the Duomo is Corso Vittorio Emanuele, full of many craft and souvenir shops. Here is also the famous Maria Grammatico pastry shop where you can try many typical sweets. Passing through this street you can also admire the church and monastery of the Savior from the 1300s and the Piazza della Loggia, which overlooks the Town Hall. Nearby is the &#8220;Antonio Cordici&#8221; Civic Museum with archaeological finds found in Erice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Further on the outskirts you will find the Norman churches of S. Giuliano, S. Cataldo and San Giovanni Battiste, restored around 1600\/1700. Visiting them is an excellent opportunity to walk along alleys and streets little known by many, but really characteristic and fascinating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/erice-2702960_1280-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Erice\" class=\"wp-image-6374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/erice-2702960_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/erice-2702960_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/erice-2702960_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/erice-2702960_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-le-mura-ciclopiche-e-il-quartiere-spagnolo\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Cyclopean_Walls_and_the_Spanish_Quarter\"><\/span>The Cyclopean Walls and the Spanish Quarter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_Sicily_Italy_06-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Spanish quarter, Erice\" class=\"wp-image-6373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_Sicily_Italy_06-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_Sicily_Italy_06-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_Sicily_Italy_06-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_Sicily_Italy_06.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spanish Quarter &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Erice_Sicily_Italy_06.jpg\"> Norbert Nagel, M\u00f6rfelden-Walldorf, Germany<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\"> CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Also very fascinating<strong> Cyclopean walls<\/strong> around the city, which were built in the VII-VI century BC by the Elymians and then remodeled over time by the Phoenicians, Romans and Normans. In some stones it is possible to find some ancient Phoenician writings, clearly visible mainly near Porta Carmine. The best preserved section, along a beautiful tree-lined street, runs right from Porta Carmine to Porta Spada, and near the latter above a fortress is the beautiful Spanish Quarter with a fabulous view.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is a building built around the 17th century to house the Spanish soldiers. The inhabitants of Erice did not want the soldiers too close to them and so they chose an isolated place where they could build the stronghold. Inside there is also a small museum of anti-crafts and an exhibition on tuna fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_mura3-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Cyclopean walls of Erice\" class=\"wp-image-6371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_mura3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_mura3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_mura3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_mura3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cyclopean walls &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Erice_mura3.jpg\"> Dedda71<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\"> CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_mura2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Cyclopean walls of Erice\" class=\"wp-image-6372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_mura2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_mura2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_mura2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Erice_mura2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Erice_mura2.jpg\">Dedda71<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\"> CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-il-castello-di-venere\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_castle_of_Venus\"><\/span>The castle of Venus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Erice_castelo-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Venus Castle, Erice\" class=\"wp-image-6365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Erice_castelo-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Erice_castelo-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Erice_castelo-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Erice_castelo.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Erice.jpg\">b.roveran<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\"> CC BY 2.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The castle of Venus was built by the Normans in the 12th century BC on the ruins of the temple dedicated to Venus Ericina and is probably the most beautiful monument to see in Erice. In fact, during the excavations artifacts were found from attributes of the ancient sanctuary. Inside there is only an empty clearing, but the external defensive walls are well preserved and are very beautiful to see and the view from here is wonderful. The castle was once connected with a drawbridge to the defensive towers of the Balio, which are located shortly before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-le-torri-e-il-giardino-del-balio\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Towers_and_The_Balio_Garden\"><\/span>The Towers and The Balio Garden<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sicily-4597049_1280-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sicily-4597049_1280-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sicily-4597049_1280-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sicily-4597049_1280-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sicily-4597049_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Balio towers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/rtretretretre-1024x665.jpg\" alt=\"Panorama Balio Towers, Erice\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Panorama from the Balio Towers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_20160809_143825698-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Balio Towers, Erice\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Balio Towers were the defensive system of the Norman castle and near them there is an open space from which a magnificent view of the coast opens up. Today we can admire them thanks to Count Agostino Pepoli who at his expense restored the pentagonal tower at his own expense and also built the nearby Balio garden, a beautiful English public garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Giardini_del_Balio_-_panoramio-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"Balio Garden, Erice\" class=\"wp-image-6369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Giardini_del_Balio_-_panoramio-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Giardini_del_Balio_-_panoramio-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Giardini_del_Balio_-_panoramio-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Giardini_del_Balio_-_panoramio.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Giardini_del_Balio_-_panoramio.jpg\">trolvag<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\"> CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> The count was so in love with this place that he had his house built on the north-west side of the castle, the fascinating Torretta Pepoli. After years of neglect it has been restored and houses an interactive multimedia museum. Here, with the voice of the count, the story of the characters who have left a significant mark on the city is told. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Erice_Sicily_Italy_20-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Erice_Sicily_Italy_20-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Erice_Sicily_Italy_20-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Erice_Sicily_Italy_20-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1280px-Erice_Sicily_Italy_20.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pepoli Tower &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Erice_Sicily_Italy_24.jpg\"> Norbert Nagel, M\u00f6rfelden-Walldorf, Germany<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\"> CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cosa-mangiare-ad-erice\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_eat_in_Erice\"><\/span>What to eat in Erice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Genovesi_di_Erice-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Genoese dessert, Erice\" class=\"wp-image-6376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Genovesi_di_Erice-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Genovesi_di_Erice-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Genovesi_di_Erice-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1200px-Genovesi_di_Erice.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Genovesi_di_Erice.jpg\">Enzo Rippa<\/a> ,<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\"> CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> , via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After having seen what to see in Erice, let&#8217;s now think about food. Don&#8217;t miss the Maria Grammatico pastry shop. You will find them delicious typical sweets:<strong> the Genoese<\/strong> and many other fantastic stuff such as almond pastries, martorana fruit, cassatelle and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Genovesi are so named because at that time trade relations between Trapani and Genoa were very intense, and <strong>the shape of these sweets was reminiscent of the hats of Genoese sailors.<\/strong> Genovesi, as well as other typical Erice sweets, were created by the nuns of Erice around 1600\/1700, and the recipe was in danger of being lost forever when the convents were closed in 1800. Thanks to Mrs. Grammatico, however, who grew up with the nuns, the tradition has been handed down over time and today you too can binge without problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here you will find general advice on what to eat in<a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/food\/what-to-eat-in-trapani-and-surroundings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Trapani and surroundings<\/a> (Erice is part of the province of Trapani), here instead you find the<a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/food\/typical-sicilian-dishes-and-products\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Discover typical Sicilian dishes and products\"> typical Sicilian dishes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mappa-interattiva-di-erice-punti-d-interesse-segnati-in-viola\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Interactive_map_of_Erice_%E2%80%93_Points_of_interest_marked_in_purple\"><\/span>Interactive map of Erice &#8211; Points of interest marked in purple<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To locate yourself once in the area, click on the enlarge symbol at the top right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1MPC8EZW18MDwcDKaDSQSZ4iWHHdOVgga\" width=\"999\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cosa-vedere-nei-dintorni-di-erice\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_see_around_Erice\"><\/span>What to see around Erice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Erice is part of the province of Trapani, here are listed the places to visit in<a href=\"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/province-of-trapani\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Trapani and surroundings<\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Most_popular_activities_for_tourists_in_Sicily\"><\/span>Most popular activities for tourists in Sicily<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div data-gyg-widget=\"auto\" data-gyg-partner-id=\"2MY8JNV\" data-gyg-cmp=\"Erice\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30400,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[104],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-province-of-trapani"],"aioseo_notices":[],"modified_by":"Dario Lo Turco","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10092"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10092\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51181,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10092\/revisions\/51181"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topsecretsicily.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}