Details About Trapani

Trapani, the ancient Drepanon, jets out into the Mediterranean sea in the shape of a sickle. The Ligny Tower, an imposing watchtower built in 1761, stands on its extreme tip and now houses the Museum of Prehistory. The best way to go get to know Trapani is looking at the ties this town has always had with the sea. Nowadays fishing provides a means of support, but in the past the Mediterranean was a source of wealth because of the coral industry. The precious coral works made by skilled craftsmen have made this town famous since the second half of the 16th century. Today this remakable and creative craft is gaining strenght again thanks to the workshops set up by young artisans, who have revived an ancient form of art that seemed to have fallen into oblivion. A collection of very fine coral works is displayed at the Pepoli Museum, inside the old Carmelite monastery. Next to this building stands the Santuario dell'Annunziata, where one can find a beautiful 14th century marble statue of the Madonna of Trapani. Walking down the streets of the oldest part of the city centre, one can easily notice the indelible marks left on Trapani's town planning and architectural styles by various civilizations.