A historic centre full of history

It is not possible to make a list of the important things to admire in the historic part of Trapani, for this we have preferred to tell you step by step our typical walk in the center.
You can walk along the main streets of the city center, Via Garibaldi, Via Torrearsa, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, which together constitute the good living room of the city. This route alternates historic buildings of high architectural value and numerous churches in which the sumptuous baroque features predominate.
Walk and, from time to time, linger with your eyes turned upwards. Here you will see small treasures between friezes, rich frontons of symbolism, apotropaic masks.

Browse up and observe the hidden vents between the stucco apse and nave, an example
primordial air conditioning against the summer heat; marvel at the magnificent wooden sculptures
of the imposing sacristy. Next to it, the cloister, now called Liceo Classico Ximenes.
Continuing, you will find the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, with its mighty facade;

If you head towards the port, you will reach the Church of Purgatory, with its baroque facade full of saints and pious souls. Inside are preserved 20 sculptural groups dating back to 1600, which, in the renowned Procession of the Mysteries of Good Friday, are decorated with flowers, candles, silver, fabrics and carried on the shoulders for the city streets.

Reach Porta Ossuna and look out into the beautiful sea enclosed by the Walls of Tramontana. Climb up the camouflaged staircase up to the walls and enjoy that particular sense of freedom and calm of the flight of seagulls gliding, the crystal clear sea stretching over the horizon, the boats of fishermen. At sunset this place becomes magical.

Proceed to the Ice Palace where fishermen once stocked ice for fishing
conservation of the fish, then chase the sea on Viale delle Sirene and then reach Torre di Ligny:
This is the symbol of Trapani! It is a Saracen-era watchtower built in the extreme tip of the city between the Mediterranean Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Today the Tower is home to a small museum and venue for conferences, exhibitions and cultural events in general. Take advantage, usually the entrance is free!

Then push towards the Fishing Port, early in the morning you will see the arrival of boats coming back after the night of fishing. Slender flights of seagulls accompany them. Observe the untangling of nets in which the fish still shiny and swirling.

Proceed along the land end and reach the Villino Nasi, a small treasure of Liberty architecture surrounded by the sea. Stroll along its avenues adorned with wild and brackish vegetation. Stay on the benches reading or portraying the poetry of nature.

Leaving, in front of you the Lazaretto where they were confined in quarantine people coming from the long journey at sea before being introduced into the city. Today it is the headquarters of the Naval League. Look at the rows of sailboats and listen to the monotonous sound of steel tops chirping in the wind, like a mantra.

Continuing our itinerary on foot, we cross the other side of the sea, that is the Port. From which also the hydrofoils and ferries depart to reach the nearby Egadi Islands.

Turn towards the enchanting Piazzetta Saturno with the fountain of the God Saturn which, leaning on the facade of a private building, overlooks the newts. Originally built in 1342 by the will of the Chiaramonte lords of the city, it was among the first fountains made to distribute water in the inhabited center. Through a water-pipe with arches of which there are no traces, the water that came down from the slopes of Mount Erice arrived in the houses. In the sec. XVIII the baroque fountain was enriched with the statue of Saturn, mythical founder of Trapani.

Inside the "Loggia", so called by the Trapanesi the walking area that intersects between Via Torrearsa and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, we find the splendid monumental facade of the Town Hall Palazzo Cavarretta which, with the protective effigies of the Madonna di Trapani, of Jesus and Saint Peter, patron saint of the city, is the main scene. Just below the "coppo loggia", the remaining part of the ancient Clock Tower or Dark Gate Tower, with the astronomical clock with zodiac, moon phases and meridians.

The green lung of the city is located just outside the historic center: it is the Villa Margherita. It is a park of about 21,000 square meters with four entrances. There you will find various species of birds, parrots, grouse and a pond with white and black swans, geese and ducks, and a playground for children. Every summer, after the Second World War, due to the demolition of the Garibaldi theatre, in the Piazzale dei Ficus there are performances of operatic music by the Luglio Musicale Trapanese.