Trapani is a beautiful city set on a promontory towards the Mediterranean, on the western coast of Sicily. The sea has always been throughout history the main source of wealth for the town. Since ancient times this area was famous for the presence of precious corals that were cleverly worked by local artisans. Another activity that is still nowaday very flourishing is fishing, particularly of tuna, for which they use the traditional technique of "mattanza". Thanks to its strategic location and for its natural harbor Trapani has always been an important trading center.
The city was founded by the Phoenicians in the ninth century b.C under the name of Drepanon, which means sickle, for the particular shape of the promontory on which it lies. After the Roman and Byzantine dominations it was especially with the Arabs that Trapani reached its maximum splendor, even becoming a thriving cultural center. Then there was the brief Norman parenthesis and the long Spanish period, which lasted nearly three centuries. Over time, the city has undergone many changes and in the streets of the center we can have the perception of the different historical periods, which have left deep scars in the urban structure.
The main monument of the city is the Santuario dell'Annunziata, of the fourteenth century but totally rebuilt in 1760. Of the original structure remain only the Gothic-style facade and the beautiful gate. Going towards the sea we found the majestic Ligny Tower, which is located on the tip of the promontory. The building had originally the function of warning and today is home to the Museum of Prehistory. From here we can see the coast of Trapani where alternate wide sandy beaches and magnificent cliffs. From the port of the city also depart ferries for Egadi Islands and Pantelleria.
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