SEGESTA
sicily-travel
Segesta was the political center of the Elymian people. It is placed in the northwestern part of Sicily, in the province of Trapani and in the Comune of Calatafimi-Segesta. According to the tradition used in Virgil's Aeneid, Segesta was founded jointly by the territorial king Acestes (who was son of the local river Crinisus by a Dardanian woman named Segesta or Egesta) and by those of Aeneas' folk who wished to remain behind with Acestes to found the city of Acesta. The belief that the name of the city was originally Acesta or Egesta and changed to Segesta by the Romans to avoid its ill-omened meaning in Latin is disproved by coins showing that Segesta was indeed the earlier name. Segesta was in eternal conflict with Selinus (modern Selinunte). The first clashes were in 580-576 BC, and again in 454 BC, but later the conflict would have repercussions for all of Sicily. In 415 BC Segesta asked Athens for help against Selinunte, leading to a disastrous Athenian expedition in Sicily (415-413 BC). Later they asked Carthage for help, leading to the total destruction of the city of Selinunte by the hands of Carthage. Segesta remained an ally of Carthage, it was besieged by Dionysius of Syracuse in 397 BC, and it was destroyed by Agathocles in 307 BC, but recovered. In 276 BC the city was allied with Pyrrhus, but changed side in 260 BC when it surrendered to the Romans. The city was not punished by the Romans for its long alliance with Carthage, but owing to the mythical common origin of the Romans and the Elymians (both descendants of refugees from Troy) it was granted the state of a "free and immune" city. Little is known about the city under the Roman rule, but it is probable that the population gradually moved to the port city of Castellammare del Golfo due to the better trading opportunities. The city was finally destroyed by the Vandals. Current archaeological work indicates that the site was reoccupied by a Muslim community in the Norman period. Excavations have unearthed a Muslim necropolis and a mosque from the XII century next to a Norman castle. Evidence suggests that the mosque was destroyed after the arrival of a new Christian overlord at the beginning of the XIII century. The city appears to have been finally abandoned by the second half of the XIII century. The ruins of the city are located on the top of Mount Bàrbaro. The city was protected by steep slopes on several sides and by walls on the more gentle slope towards the temple. From the hilltop there is a splendid view over the valley towards the Gulf of Castellammare.
Doric Temple
Built before 430 BC, on a hill just outside the site of the ancient city, the Doric Temple is the focal point of Segesta. It is one of the most well preserved Greek Temple in all the world. It has 36 columns built upon three steps. Several things suggest that the temple was never actually finished. The columns have not been fluted like they normally would have been in a Doric Temple and there are still tabs present in the blocks of the base (used for lifting the blocks into place but then normally removed). It also lacks a cella and was never roofed over. The Temple is also unusual for being a Hellenic Temple in a city not mainly populated by Greeks.
Greek Theatre
Built in the III century at an high of 400m, on the hill opposite to that of the Temple, the Greek Theatre of Segesta offers an high vantage point from which it is possible to view a scenic panorama. Built in blocks of local limestone, it presents typical shapes of the Greek architecture, even if the cavea does not rest directly on the rock but it is entirely built and delimited by powerful walls of containing. The cavea has a diameter of around 63m. The steps are around twenty excavated in the rock and they are divided in 7 travertine quoins. The horizontal division of the Theatre (diazoma) permitted the movement of the spectators from a section of the theatre to another. The higher area unfortunately is near destroyed, and not much remains of the stage. The Theatre could house around 4000 spectators. For its particular structure, the Theatre of Segesta represents a monument of transition between the typical Greek Theatre, that takes advantage of the natural conformation of the ground, and the Roman Theatre, built artificially on support walls. In summer, the Theatre of Segesta is seat of various theatrical events representing the classical dramas.
Visiting Hours
Open all days from 09:00 am to 07:00 pm. The ticket office closes at 06:00 pm.
Tickets
Adults € 4,50
Reduced € 2,00
Free Entrance for persons under 18 and over 65 years old from the European Union upon presentation of identify documents.
Segesta Baths
Besides the archaeological area, Segesta boasts also a bath complex. The mythical origins of these springs are explained by Diodoro Siculo declaring that the nymphs prepared to Hercules these hot springs to give refrigeration to his tired limb in the legendary trip from Piloro to Erice. Another legend is told by Dionisio da Alicarnasso that says that Aeneas left in the near Segesta some refugees from the destroyed Troy to populate the new city, choosing then the old and who was exhausted for the long trip so that they can avail themselves of the benefit of the hot waters. The equal meaning of these legends explains not only the historic presence but also the therapeutic function of the Segesta Baths, known since the remote times.
+39 347 6708101
