Trapani
Trapani (2004 population 67,456) is a city in the west coast of Sicily region, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Trapani and is located at 38°01′ N 12°31′ E. Current mayor (since 26 November 2001) is Girolamo Fazio.
The ancient name of Trapani was Drépanon or Drepana, the Greek word for "sickle", because of the shape of its harbour which curves out into the Mediterranean Sea. The city was actually built to serve as port of the nearby city of Erice (Eryx), which overlooks it from the Monte San Giuliano. Two ancient legends tell the mythical origin of the city: in the first one, Trapani stemmed from the sickle fallen from the hands of the prosperity goddess Demetra while she was seeking for her daughter Persephone, who had been kidnapped by Ades. The second myth features Saturn, god of the sky, who eviscerated his father Chronos with a sickle which, falling into the sea, created the city. In ancient times Saturn was the god-protector of the Trapani. Today Saturn's statue stands in a piazza in the centre of the city.
As for the true story of Trapani, Drepana is known to have fallen to the Carthaginians in 260 BC. Subsequently, it passed to the Romans in 241 BC. Thenceforth it followed the history of Southern Italy generally, and Sicily in particular through the Middle Ages and into the Modern Era. Trapani was heavily damaged by Allied bombardments during World War II.
Over the centuries the salt-pans and related salt industries along the coast have created a unique environment of great cultural and economic relevance. This route is called Via del sale "the salt road"). On this road there are several salt mills which are still active. Also flourishing is fishing, featuring in particular the famous tuna or tonnare which are caught by fishermen who still use the mattanza technique to catch the tunnies. Other resources of the neighbourhood include marble and coral. The port exports salt and wine
Trapani has had problems in recent years as a center for drug-trafficking, as the major port on the western end of the island.
Trapani is an Episcopal seat and has many interesting monuments. The main ones are:
- The Church of Sant'Agostino (14th century, with the splendid rose-window
- The Church of Santa Maria di Gesù (15th century-16th century)
- The magnificent Basilica-Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Annunziata (also called Madonna di Trapani, 1315-1332, rebuilt in 1760). It houses a marble statue of the Madonna of Trapani, maybe work of Nino Pisano
- Fontana di Tritone (Triton's Fountain)
- The Baroque Palazzo della Giudecca or Casa Ciambra
- The Cathedral (1635)
Main attractions of the nearby region are the Egadi Islands, which are linked to Sicily by ferries going to and from Trapani; the Erice mount, reachable through an air cableway from the city, the old Greek city of Segesta, with one of the best preserved Doric temples of the world, and the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro (Natural Reserve of the Gipsy).
Since 28 September to 9 October 2005 Trapani was seat of Acts 8 & 9 of the Louis Vuitton Cup, a sailing race featuring, among others, all the boats that will take part to 2007 America's Cup.
External links
 The Old City |
Cavarretta Palace |
The Jesuits' Cloister |
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