Erice

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For the Spanish film director, see Victor Erice.

Comune di Erice
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Sicily
Province	Trapani (TP)
Mayor	Ignazio Sanges (since November 26, 2001)

Elevation	751 m
Area	47 km²
Population
- Total (as of November 30, 2005)	28,880
- Density	614/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	38°2′0″N, 12°32′0″E
Gentilic	Ericini
Dialing code	91016
Postal code	0923
Frazioni	Napola, Ballata, Casa Santa, Pizzolungo
Patron	SS. Mary of Custonaci

Location of Erice in Italy
Website: http://www.comune.erice.tp.it/

Erice (IPA: ['ɛriʧe]) is a historical city in the mountains close to Trapani in Sicily, Italy.

Narrow alleyway.

The city overlooks the bay of Castellammare del Golfo on Sicily's northern coast, providing spectacular views.

1 History
2 Main sights
3 Culture
4 Gallery
5 External links

[edit] History

This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

The ancient name of Erice was Eryx.

[edit] Main sights

In the northeastern portion of the city there are the remains of ancient Elymian and Phoenician walls indicating different stages of settlement and occupation in antiquity.

There are two castles that remain in the city: Pepoli Castle, which dates from Saracen times, and the Venus Castle, dating from the Norman period, built on top of the ancient Temple of Venus, where Venus Ericina was worshipped. According to legend, the temple was founded by Aeneas. It was well-known throughout the Mediterranean area in the ancient age, and an important cult was celebrated in it. In his book On the Nature of Animals, Aelian writes that animals chosen for sacrifice would voluntarily walk up to the altar to be killed.

The Gondola lift chairs up to the top of Erice are closed from mid January to mid March.