With an ancient past the city of Segesta has been one of the most important cities of Magna Graecia. It is a city located on the North western part of Sicily in Trapani. It belongs to the commune called Calatafimi-Segesta and is about three kilometres from the modern city of Calatafimi. It is situated on grassy slopes and is filled with flowers in spring and summer. Segesta also minted its own coins.

How to get there

Both the two major cities Palermo and Trapani are well connected by flights arriving from all over Europe. Segesta is situated in the commune Calatafimi-Segesta. You can take a bus from Trapani or Palermo. You can also drive through a fairly scenic route.

History

Segesta has had a colourful history as it was originally ruled by a tribe whom the historians tend to call the Elymian or the Elemi. They were a powerful race of people and were often at war with the neighbouring Selinos (now called Selinunte). This led them to alternately align themselves with the Greek and the Carthagians. Segesta finally surrendered to the Romans. Later it was destroyed by the Vandals an East German tribe who destroyed Rome. The city also has had Norman and Arabian influences. Archeological excavations continue and recent surveys show that there was a Muslim community during the Norman period. It was taken over by Christians in the thirteenth century and the city of Segesta was finally deserted by the late thirteenth century.

Today the ruins are a popular cultural destination for travelers. Situated on top of the Monte Barbaro at a height of over three hundred metres above sea level Segesta is visited throughout the year.

Places to Visit

The Temple

The Doric Temple is one of the better preserved Greek temples in the world even better than those in modern day Greece. This Doric temple was built during the end of fifth century BC. It is three steps high and has fourteen columns on each side and six columns at the front and back. The columns are not fluted as they usually are in Greek temples. There is no inner chamber in the temple. The temple also doesn’t have a roof. That’s why although it is almost perfectly preserved it is still considered an incompletely built temple.

The Amphitheatre

The Amphitheatre is also situated at the side of the Monte Barbaro. It is about hundred metres higher than the temple and worth the climb. It offers a panoramic view of the north. It is not very large and has a diameter of approximately sixty two metres. It is still quite impressive and offers a great vantage point from where the valleys below can be viewed and enjoyed.

After more recent archeological excavations in Segesta near the amphitheatre you can also the dilapidated ruins of a Norman castle, a church and a mosque. However the Greek influence has been the predominant influence. This is seen in the pottery recovered from Segesta which bears inscriptions of the local dialect of Segesta using letters from the Greek alphabet.

Cultural Events and Festivals

Every alternate year in Summer actors perform classical Greek drama at the open air amphitheatre in Segesta. It is advisable to plan attending the performances in advance.

Thus Segesta is a historical and archeological park to visit in all seasons for many reasons.