We followed Rick Steves "Trapani Town Walk." It's a 1-hour tour that starts near the ferry port and ends at the old fish market. He recommends doing the walk in the early evening. Shops are still open and the Sicilians are out for their evening passeggiata.
Start at Piazza Garibaldi with the statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi--Italy's most famous revolutionary who was instrumental in the unification and establishment of modern Italy.
Chiesa delle Anime Sante del Purgatorio--Church of the Souls in Purgatory.
Cattedrale di Trapani--also known as the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence).
Look for the grill on the right side of the gate, the symbol of St. Lawrence. He's the patron saint of the cattedrale and was grilled alive.
Palazzo Cavarretta--also known as the Palazzo Senatorio, served as the old Town Hall until the 1920s.
Piazza Vittorio Veneto marks the end of the old town. On one side is the City Hall.
Across the street is Posta & Telegrafi--the post and telegraph office since 1927. It's an example of Liberty Style (Italian Art Nouveau).
Step inside to really appreciate the Liberty Style.
Questura (police station) is also on the Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
Trapani's embankment--look right to see Monte San Giuliano. Follow the lights of the funicular to find the town of Erice at the summit.
Wander the historic center and you'll find other noteworthy sites in Trapani. There are placards in English identifying the buildings and their significance.
Villa Regina Margherita is a nice park just outside the historic center.
There's an aviary in the park.
Palazzo Fontana--an 18th century palazzo that serves as a government building today. It's an example of Spanish Baroque architecture.
Palazzo Riccio di Morana is the seat of Trapani's regional provincial presidency.
Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Itria is an example of Sicilian Baroque.
Testa di Carlov--Crown of Charles V, mounted on a building, paying homage to his visit in 1535. During the visit, he confirmed the privileges of the city.
Chiesa di San Nicola--the city's second largest basilica. Go in the basement and you can see bones in the dirt floor.
Porta Oscura & Torre dell'Orologio--the oldest entrance to the city.
Ex Carcere--originally built as barracks, it served as a prison until 1960.
Porta delle Botteghelle--one of 11 gates built in the new wall. On the other side is Porta Serisso, built by a rich merchant. He placed his wife's decapitated head in a niche above the portal. She was reportedly unfaithful to him.
Passeggiata--Sicilians enjoying an early evening stroll.
These vending machines are located all over town. Take a closer look at them. This one sells marijuana.
2022 04 14
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