Skip to content
Locrawl

Erice

Erice is a hilltop town in western Sicily, perched on Monte Erice above the coastal city of Trapani. The historic centre retains a largely medieval layout, with cobbled streets, ancient landmarks, pre-Roman fortifications and numerous churches reflecting its religious significance.

See
57
Do
21
Eat
9
Drink
4
Buy
4

57 places match

  1. See

    Agro-Forestry Museum of San Matteo

    Museo Agro-Forestale San Matteo

    Set in a traditional rural baglio, the museum explores local agricultural and forestry traditions on Monte Erice.

    Check seasonal opening (often closed in winter)Free or small donation

  2. See

    Annunciation or Carmine Church

    Chiesa dell'Annunziata o del Carmine

    Founded in 1423 by Don Bernardo Militari in his palace, this church is a rare example of private ecclesiastical architecture in Sicily. It blends Gothic and Renaissance styles with vibrant local Baroque touches. It was historically attached to a Carmelite convent, founded in 1423. The adjoining convent buildings are now used as a hotel.

  3. See

    Balio Towers

    Torri del Balio

    Group of medieval towers that once guarded the castle approach and housed royal officials. Overlooks the coastline and Balio Gardens.

    Exterior open; towers included in Erice Card ticketIncluded in the Erice Card

  4. See

    Castle of Venus

    Castello di Venere

    12th-century Norman castle built over the ancient Temple of Venus Erycina. Set on a cliff with wide views over the coast and valleys.

    Apr–May & Oct: 10:00–18:00; Jun–Sep: 10:00–19:00 (Aug until 20:00)Included in the Erice Card

  5. See

    Chapel of Our Lady of Custonaci

    Cappella della Madonna di Custonaci

    This small chapel overlooks the countryside with distant views toward Custonaci, where the main sanctuary of the Madonna of Custonaci is located. It is dedicated to the Madonna of Custonaci, one of the most venerated Marian figures in western Sicily.

    Free

  6. See

    Chiaramontan Aqueduct

    Acquedotto chiaramontano

    Historic Difali fountain that was part of a medieval aqueduct constructed by the Chiaramonte family to convey water to Trapani.

    Accessible at all timesFree

  7. See

    Church of Saint Albert

    Chiesa di Sant'Alberto dei Bianchi

    Oval-plan 16th-century church with altars and stuccoes, once used by a charitable brotherhood.

  8. See

    Church of Saint Anthony the Abbot

    Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate

    Coastal-view church with Byzantine frescoes and distinctive Tuscan columns.

  9. See

    Church of Saint Catherine

    Chiesa di Santa Caterina

    This small church was built in 1335 and formed part of a large palazzo of a noble soldier Giovanni Majorana that once extended all the way down to Piazza Carmine.

  10. See

    Church of Saint Francis of Assisi

    Chiesa di San Francesco

    Founded in 1364 by Count Francesco Ventimiglia in his former palace, this active church—once part of a major Franciscan complex—features a single nave and a Renaissance-style vestibule added in the early 20th century.

  11. See

    Church of Saint Francis of Paola

    Chiesa di San Francesco di Paola

    A single-nave church dedicated to Saint Francis of Paola, a town in Calabria. The building served as a hospital chapel until the 19th century, associated with a hospital once located in the adjacent Majorana Soldier Palace.

  12. See

    Church of Saint Hippolytus

    Chiesa di Sant'Ippolito

    A ruined medieval church which preserves fragments of a medieval fresco cycle and incorporates the cave Oratory of Saint Gregory, associated with earlier eremitic traditions.

  13. See

    Church of Saint Isidore

    Chiesa di Sant'Isidoro

    Small sanctuary near the birthplace of Blessed Luigi Rabatà, historically linked to farming communities.

    Included in the Erice Card

  14. See

    Church of Saint John the Baptist

    Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista

    Gothic-style church with marble works by the Gagini school and Erice’s largest nave.

  15. See

    Church of Saint Julian

    Chiesa di San Giuliano

    It was founded by Roger I, and rebuilt in the 17th century. It is used for religious and civic gatherings.

    10:00–18:00Included in the Erice Card

  16. See

    Church of Saint Martin

    Chiesa di San Martino

    17th-century confraternity church with Renaissance and Rococo-style interiors. A statue of Padre Pio stands beside the church in Piazzetta Adragna, the town's former market square.

    Included in the Erice Card

  17. See

    Church of Saint Mary Magdalene

    Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena

    Ruined medieval church of probable Norman origin, formerly decorated with a notable cycle of 12th-century frescoes now preserved in the Church of San Giovanni Battista.

  18. See

    Church of Saint Mary Major

    Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore

    One of the three medieval churches of the Tre Chiese route, representing the network of rural religious foundations that once occupied the slopes of Monte Erice.

  19. See

    Church of Saint Peter

    Chiesa di San Pietro

    Built in 1365 and rebuilt in 1610 in Baroque style; connected by an arch to the Monastery of the Poor Clares

  20. See

    Church of Saint Ursula

    Chiesa di Sant'Orsola

    15th-century church that houses the Misteri statues used during Good Friday processions.

  21. See

    Church of Santa Teresa

    Chiesa di Santa Teresa

    Moved to its current site around 1828–1830, this former hospital chapel has a single nave and houses a revered statue of its patron saint, central to a popular annual procession still celebrated in Erice and nearby areas. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries the adjoining monastery was converted for civic use.

  22. See

    Church of the Capuchins

    Sorelle Povere di Santa Chiara Monastero Sacro Cuore

    A 16th-century Roman Catholic church built as part of a Capuchin convent in 1571; today the adjoining convent is home to the Poor Clares. Inhabited by nuns; generally closed to visitors, though the exterior can be admired.

  23. See

    Church of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Quarantors

    Chiesa del SS. Sacramento dei Quaranta

    Founded in 1765, this small Baroque church with an oval interior was later repurposed as a grocery store, political office, and eventually a private holiday home.

    Free (Exterior visible)

  24. See

    Church of the Most Holy Saviour

    Chiesa del Santissimo Salvatore

    14th-century church founded by count Enrico Chiaramonte; decorated with stuccoes by Pietro dell'Orto in 1794.

    Included in the Erice Card

  25. See

    Coppola House

    Casa Coppola

    Former home of Cavaliere Giuseppe Coppola, a patriot and officer of the Crown of Italy, this house bears a 1910 plaque honoring his noble roots, role in Italy’s unification, and steadfast resistance.

    Free (Exterior visible)

  26. See

    Cordici Museum

    Polo Museale A. Cordici

    Housed in a former convent. Exhibits include Elymian and Roman artifacts, sacred art, and Italian modernism.

    10:00–18:00; audio tours in 5 languagesIncluded in the Erice Card

  27. See

    Curatolo-Ragusa House

    Casa Curatolo-Ragusa

    Overlooking Erice’s main square, this elegant 18th-century residence features a crest with a crane, stars, and mountain, and encloses a small courtyard.

    Free (Exterior visible)

  28. See

    Dovecote

    Stone dovecote traditionally associated with the Sacred Doves of Eryx, birds linked to the ancient cult of Venus Erycina.

  29. See

    Elymian-Punic Walls

    Mura Ciclopiche Elimo-Puniche

    Ancient walls built from the 8th century BCE by the Elymians, later expanded by Punic and medieval builders.

    Accessible at all timesFree

  30. See

    Erice in Miniature

    Erice in Miniatura

    1:100 scale model of Erice made from traditional materials, with mechanical and lighting effects.

    Apr–Oct: daily 10:00–18:00; Nov–Mar: weekends/by reservationIncluded in Erice Card; standalone approx €2