Discover the Greek Ruins of Selinunte in South-Western Sicily • Italia Residing

The archaeological website of Selinunte is as spectacular because the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, however method much less busy

On the southwest coast of Sicily, within the province of Trapani, lies Selinunte, one of many largest and most essential archaeological websites within the Mediterranean. A day spent strolling across the Greek archaeological website of Selinunte, between Sciacca and Marsala, is a should on any journey to sun-kissed Sicily, the most important island within the Mediterranean.

Not removed from Mazara del Vallo, the colony of Selinunte was constructed on a excessive plain overlooking the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea within the 7^th century BC, strategically positioned for commerce routes to North Africa, and grew right into a affluent buying and selling port. With its industrial wealth, the historic Greek metropolis of Selinus erected grand temples to a pantheon of Greek gods.

What to see in Selinunte

Wandering round its spectacular array of temples and different ruins, it’s straightforward to think about the historic city of Selinus as it will have been 2500 years in the past, earlier than it was attacked, defeated and destroyed by Carthaginian forces in 409 BC. From being one of the vital eminent cities in Magna Graecia, Selinunte turned a ghost city and was forgotten till its rediscovery within the 16^th century.

One of the vital spectacular historic Greek websites in Sicily, the location of Selinus is large and incorporates Greek temples and the stays of each industrial and residential buildings. Flanked by lengthy superb sandy seashores that stretch for miles on both aspect, Selinunte is now the most important archaeological park in Europe.

The huge Acropolis of Selinunte nonetheless has an air of noble, albeit pale, magnificence, and the shrub and vegetation add an air of wildness to the location. The bottom round its temples and Hellenistic agora is roofed in fennel, sea holly, poppies and the wild celery – selinon in Greek – that gave the colony its identify.

The jap temples are probably the most gorgeous of all Selinunte’s jumbled ruins. The majestic Temple E, also called the Temple of Hera, was erected within the 5^th century BC and reconstructed within the Fifties.

Most likely devoted to Zeus, Temple G was constructed within the 6^th century BC and was one of many largest temples of the traditional world. It’s now a large pile of rubble. Temple F is the oldest temple on the location.

Huddled within the south-eastern half are 5 temples:

• Temple A and Temple O, constructed between 490 and 480 BC and devoted to the twins Castor and Pollux;
• Temple B, devoted to the Agrigentan thinker Empedocles;
• Temple C, constructed within the 6^th century BC and devoted to both Apollo or Heracles;
• Temple D, constructed within the late 6^th century BC and devoted to both Athena or Aphrodite.

The stones used to construct the sacred temples within the historic Greek metropolis of Selinus got here from the close by Cave di Cusa, an historic stone quarry about 12 miles north of Selinunte, which we strongly suggest you additionally go to.

One of the best time to go to the archaeological park is certainly spring, when you’ll be able to admire the colors of the wild flowers and herbs that pepper the colourful inexperienced grass.

There are two entrances to the Greek archaeological website, one from Triscina to the west and one from the charming seaside village of Marinella di Selinunte to the east. A visit to Selinunte is a superb household day trip, particularly for those who mix it with a go to to the seashore at Marinella, one in every of Sicily’s most picture-perfect seashores, with an extended stretch of golden sand and wonderful fish eating places.

Visiting the ruins of the Greek temples of Selinunte? Keep in a non-public, fancy, self-catering trip house within the surrounding space, distinguished by its paradisiacal golden seashores, crystalline waters, luscious vineyards, olive groves and fishing ports.

This seductive south-western nook of Sicily has loads of choices from ultra-luxe non-public villas to conventional countryside hideaways, a few of which can be found to hire by Choose Sicily, a high-end vacation-rental firm specializing in jaw-dropping luxurious houses and unique residences in sun-soaked Sicily. For extra data, go to www.selectsicilyvillas.com.