An ancient and important city, Erice still has all the charm of a medieval town.

According to Thucydides, Erice was founded by some inhabitants of Troy who took refuge here after their city was destroyed. Thus was born the people of the Elymians, of whom Erice became, along with Segesta, the most important center. The city then came under the influence of the Carthaginians until it was destroyed, during the First Punic War, necessitating the relocation of the inhabitants to Drepanon, today’s Trapani.

Precisely during the war, General Hamilcar arranged for its fortification. The walls were built following the ridge of the mountain and using its own stone: thus the fortifications, which made the city impregnable, appear to the eye as the natural continuation of the mountain.

The Romans conquered it in 248 BC and restored its temple, already famous then, which the Carthaginians had destined for the goddess Astarte and which they dedicated to Venus, to its former glory.

The fame of Venus Ericina became such that a temple was dedicated to her even in Rome and her cult spread throughout the Mediterranean.
The Mount Eryx served as a landmark for navigators of which Venus soon became the protector: at night, a large fire lit in the sacred area served as a beacon for those approaching from the sea.

The City then followed the historical vicissitudes of the whole island: it was Byzantine, Arab and Norman. During the Norman rule, the famous Castle.
During the Middle Ages the numerous churches and convents that still characterize the layout of the city were built there.