Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Set on the edge of a deep canyon in the midst of wild, desolate mountains, the 5th-century
BC ruins of
Segesta
( 092 495 23 56; adult €6, EU citizen 18-25yr €3, EU citizen under 18yr or over 65yr free;
9am-4pm Oct-Mar, 9am-6pm Apr-Sep)
are a magical site. On windy days the 36 giant columns
of its magnificent temple are said to act like an organ, producing mysterious notes.
The city, founded by the ancient Elymians, was in constant conflict with Selinunte in
the south, whose destruction it sought with dogged determination and singular success.
Time, however, has done to Segesta what violence inflicted on Selinunte; little remains
now, save the
theatre
and the never-completed
Doric temple
, the latter dating from around 430
BC and remarkably well preserved. A shuttle bus (€1.50) runs every 30 minutes from the
temple entrance 1.5km uphill to the theatre.
Tarantola
( 092 43 10 20;
www.tarantolabus.com
)
runs three buses daily from Trapani (one way/
return €3.80/6.20, 35 to 50 minutes), plus two daily buses from Via Balsamo near
Palermo's train station (one way/return €6.70/10.70, 1¼ hours). Alternatively, catch a
train from Trapani (€3.45, 30 minutes, one or two daily) to Segesta Tempio station, turn
left under the double underpass, then climb 1.5km (20 minutes) to the site.
