Borgo Storico Erice

Welcome to Erice, a village that seems to exist between the earth and the sky. Perched at 750 meters above sea level on the summit of Mount Erice, this 'Borgo più bello d'Italia'—the most beautiful village in Italy—is a labyrinth…

Our journey begins at Porta Trapani, one of the main gateways into the fortified village. As you pass through the heavy stone arch, take a moment to examine the walls to your left and right. …

Just inside Porta Trapani stands the Real Duomo, or the Mother Church of Erice. Built in the early 14th century by King Frederick III of Aragon, the church is a masterpiece of Chiaramonte Gothic architecture. …

Walking through the winding alleys, we reach an essential stop for any visitor: the ancient pasticceria. Erice is world-famous for its 'dolci di mandorla' (almond sweets), a tradition that began in the local convents. …

At the highest and most precipitous point of the mountain stands the Castello di Venere, or Castle of Venus. This Norman fortress was built in the 12th century on the ruins of the ancient Elymian and Roman temple dedicated to the…

Moving toward the northern edge of the village, we find the Quartiere Spagnolo, or Spanish Quarter. This unfinished military complex was started in the 17th century to house Spanish soldiers, but it was never completed. …

To truly experience Erice, one must get lost in its 'vicoli'—the narrow alleys that spiderweb through the village. This is the 'walking tour' at its most intimate. …

As our tour of Erice concludes, we return to the gates of the village. We have walked through thousands of years of history, from the Cyclopean walls of the Elymians to the Gothic elegance of the Duomo and the Norman strength of…