Segesta, Erice and Mazara Del Vallo

Today was a long day with over 10 hours of sightseeing before finally making it to our new location around 7pm. Our first stop was the ancient ruins at Segesta. Sicily is at ts crossroads with many different cultures controlling and occupying the island over time. Segesta is such a place. It is one of the best preserved Greek sites but there are many different cultures represented in the are starting with settlements going back to the 3rd century BC right through the Greek, Arab and Norman domination.

From the Greek Agora, amphitheatres, temples, and Norman churches – ruins can be seen in the area. It is interesting to note that most of the ruins are on the top of the high hills. Just getting the materials up that high was an effort. As we walked around a front end loader was taking limestone blocks up to one of the sites to be used in rebuilding some areas. It passed us 3 times on our upward climb. The Greeks could have finished the temple with that type of aid before war broke out and stopped the building permanently.

Our next stop was a town called Erice which is literally built on a mountain top 750 meters above sea level.. The bus driver did a great job navigating the snaking, switchback filled road. The town itself was another defensive position. Narrow street, churches (Norman) and now plenty of shops and restaurants occupy the site. It is a prime tourist site. Lunch was at a local restaurant. Another great Italian meal. The day ended when we reached our next hotel in the sea side town of Mazara De4l Vallo where we will have a few days of lighter travel before putting in another fully day.