5 things to see in Calatafimi Segesta

Located 50 kilometres from Marsala and 35 from the capital Trapani, Calatafimi Segesta is a small town surrounded by nature and with a priceless historical, architectural, artistic and religious heritage. It has a rich past rooted in myth and history. Tradition has it that the demigod of Greek mythology, Heracles, crossing it during one of his labours, took refreshment on the banks of the river Caldo and that the Trojan Aeneas, on his way to Latium, wanted to found the city of Segesta here. Fifteen centuries have passed since the end of Segesta, during which time this land has been ruled by different peoples. One only has to walk through its streets to realise this.

What to see in Calatafimi Segesta? Here are 5 things not to be missed!

The Segesta Archaeological Park

The area where Segesta, which was the most important of the Elymian cities, once stood is now a large archaeological site. Here, excavations have brought to light the remains of the original Elymian settlement, the Hellenistic-Roman period, the Muslim settlement, the Norman-Swabian settlement and the medieval settlement. The most significant elements of the archaeological park are: the Doric Temple (5th century B.C.), one of the few monuments that have been preserved perfectly intact since antiquity; the Theatre (2nd century B.C.), one of the most evocative and well-preserved theatres of antiquity (which is still used during the summer season for shows and performances); and the Sanctuary of Contrada Mango (6th – 5th century B.C.), the oldest place of worship in Segesta.

The Eufemio Castle

Positioned on a hill overlooking the entire town, the Eufemio Castle (or of Phimes) was one of the fortified sites placed to defend and control the access routes to Segesta. However, there are written records of it only from the 12th century onwards. It was also the seat of the king’s governor, the residence of the lords of the city and a prison from the 17th century until 1868, the year in which it was abandoned and its slow decay began. Although it is in ruins, and only a few ruins remain, it is still worth a visit. On the outside, the quadrangular towers are still recognisable, while on the inside, there are a few small prison cells on the walls of which graffiti engraved by inmates can be seen.

The Church of the Most Holy Crucifix

At the foot of Eufemio Castle, on a large cobbled esplanade, stands the Church of the Santissimo Crocifisso, one of the jewels of Calatafimi. The famous French traveller and architect Jean-Pierre Houël said of this church that it was ‘one of the most beautiful churches in Sicily, as graceful as a drawing room’. It was erected between 1741 and 1759 to a design by the Trapanese architect Giovanni Biagio Amico following a series of miraculous healings (which occurred in 1657) associated with an ancient wooden crucifix (which was unfortunately destroyed in 1887 and replaced the following year with the current one). A large number of works of art can be admired inside the church. In honour of the Holy Crucifix, a feast is also celebrated on 1 to 3 May.

The City Shrine of Mary of Giubino

Another religious building not to be missed is the City Sanctuary of Maria Santissima di Giubino (patron saint of the town), which has its main entrance in Via Mazzini and a secondary one in Piazza del Plebiscito. It was erected in the first half of the 18th century, based on a design by architect Giovanni Biagio Amico, to replace another church, smaller and corresponding at least in part to the current sacristy. It houses a valuable marble triptych of Maria Santissima di Giubino, with the sculpted Virgin Mary in a seated position in the centre holding the Child in her arms, and St Michael the Archangel and St Francis of Assisi to the left and right of the beholder respectively. It is attributed to Francesco Laurana, who is said to have sculpted it by order of Pietro Speciale in the 15th century.

The Ethno-Anthropological Museum

Housed in the former Convent of St. Francis of Assisi (founded in 1543), the Ethno-Anthropological Museum constitutes the historical memory of the population and documents its purely agricultural vocation. It houses an interesting series of tools, instruments and objects used in the activities that took place in the fields, in the workshops or more simply in the domestic sphere, including an ancient wine press and a loom for making carpets. A peasant kitchen and dining room, an early 20th century bedroom and a shoemaker’s workshop are also reconstructed.