Real Duomo

Erice

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Erice's Royal Cathedral – a golden mirage of sculpted buttermilk stone and Carrara marble – was built in 1314 by order of a grateful Frederick III who sheltered in Erice during the Sicilian Vespers uprising (1282–1314). Its interior was remodelled in neo-Gothic style in 1865, but the 15th-century side chapels were conserved. In the former sacristy, the Museo di Erice La Montagna del Signore displays sacred artworks, chalices, candlesticks and other 15th- and 16th-century silverware.

Tickets for the cathedral are sold in the neighbouring Torre di Federico, the cathedral's freestanding campanile with mullioned windows, crenellated tower, six bells and 108 steps spiralling to the top of its 28m height – rooftop views from the top are naturally impressive. A combined Passepartout ticket (€6) covers admission to the cathedral, bell tower and two other Erice churches: San Martino and San Giuliano.

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Nearby Erice attractions

1. Torre di Federico

0.02 MILES

Begin your Erice foray with a sweeping bird's-eye view of the medieval village from the top of this 28m-tall crenellated tower. It served as a lookout…

2. Chiesa di San Martino

0.16 MILES

Originally built in Gothic style in the 14th century, this church was demolished and completely rebuilt in the late 1600s. Its bright white interior is…

3. Chiesa di San Giuliano

0.27 MILES

Built by the Normans in the 11th century, this church later underwent extensive reconstruction, including the addition of an 18th-century baroque bell…

4. Chiesa di San Giovanni

0.34 MILES

This church is noteworthy for its pair of Renaissance sculptures by the Gagini family: Antonio Gagini's statue of St John the Baptist, and Antonello…

5. Castello di Venere

0.47 MILES

This 12th- to 13th-century Norman castle was built over the Temple of Venus, long a site of worship for the ancient Elymians, Phoenicians, Greeks and…

6. Museo Nazionale Pepoli

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Tucked away in the atmospheric cloister of a 14th-century Carmelite monastery, this wonderful decorative-arts museum dating from 1906–08 houses the…

7. Villa Margherita

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Trapani's majestic central park, first laid out in 1878, is a relaxing spot to lounge in the shade of centurion trees, admire and learn about dozens of…

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