The site - Segesta
Segesta is situated a few kilometres from Alcamo and from Castellammare del Golfo, in the common of Calatafimi-Segesta, on the top of Monte Barbero (Barbero Mount): a place inaccessible from three sides and therefore perfect for ancient people obliged to defend themselves from its own enemies. Just because of that, it became an important town of the Elimi people that founded it in age preceding the IV century B.C. Today it is very famous for what lasts of its ancient magnificence: the Doric style temple, the Theatre and the sanctuary of Contrada Mango. Every summer, in the gorgeous scenery of the ancient theatre of Segesta, the works of the great classics of the theatre return to life. The myth - the legend tells that the Elimi were the descendants of some Trojans escaped from Troy on flame. It is told that Aceste, son of the noble Trojan Egesta and of the fluvial god Crimiso, first king of Segesta, grew up in Sicily and went to the mother country when the war broke out. But when at last the destroying of Troy was irrefutable evidence, he came back to Sicily together with Elimo and his ships. Aceste was the first king of Segesta. The archaeological area of Segesta – The area where there was the ancient city of Segesta today is a huge archaeological site with many layers. The excavations gradually brought to light the ruins of the Elymian settlement, those of the Hellenistic-Roman one, of the Muslim settlement, of the Norman-Swabian one and of the medieval one too. The golden period was the Elymian one when Segesta was a big and important city. However, the look of the city was influenced most by the Greek culture and style. The city was built on two hills, on the top of Mount Barbaro. The town wall contained two acropolis (North and South). Alongside the North Acropolis there is the Theater. Outside the wall there are the temple, the Sanctuary of Contrada Mango and the remains of a Hellenistic necropolis. The area is 4 miles away from Calatafimi. The archaeological area of Segesta is open all year
In summer: from 9.00 a.m to 06.00 p.m
In winter: from 9.00 a.m to 04.00 p.m Ticket: 6 €
Reduced for visitors aged between 18 – 25 : 2,50 €
Free entry for visitors aged under 18 and over 65. Phone: 0924 952356
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