Segesta
the stage for a fascinating story
Segesta is located in north-western Sicily and stands on Mount Barbaro, a short distance from Alcamo and Castellammare del Golfo. The ruins that can be admired when visiting Segesta date back to an ancient city founded by the Elymians, a people who, according to Thucydides, were Trojans fleeing after the defeat of their city. Virgil also mentions Segesta, and says that Aeneas founded the city to allow old men and women to rest during his journey. There is no certain evidence as to the date of the city’s foundation, but there is some evidence that this place was already inhabited in the 4th century BC.
In 2013, Segesta officially became an archaeological park comprising several sites. Since the 1990s, the entire area has undergone a considerable revaluation due to the continuous discoveries of ruins of the ancient city. Inside the archaeological park, one can admire: the Doric Temple, the Ancient Theatre, the agora and the navarch’s house, the mediaeval area, consisting of the ancient walls, two Norman churches, a castle attached to the theatre, the medieval quarter and a mosque.
The Ancient Theatre
The theatre of Segesta was built towards the end of the 3rd century BC on the highest peak of Mount Barbaro behind the agora. It is a theatre of Greek origin located in the archaeological area of Calatafimi Segesta, in the province of Trapani. Local limestone blocks were used to build it, and its location offers an enchanting view of the sea and hills.
It is a theatre that offers emotional impressions to those who attend the performances that take place on the stage every summer. The theatre features great actors, classical plays, ancient dramas, dance performances and various musical works. A theatre where the atmosphere mixes past and present, offering moments of pure art to the spectator. Segesta can be reached either by car or by bus, with the possibility of organising an excursion starting from the villa of the Giardini Mon Plaisir.
The Ancient Theatre
The theatre of Segesta was built towards the end of the 3rd century BC on the highest peak of Mount Barbaro behind the agora. It is a theatre of Greek origin located in the archaeological area of Calatafimi Segesta, in the province of Trapani. Local limestone blocks were used to build it, and its location offers an enchanting view of the sea and hills.
It is a theatre that offers emotional impressions to those who attend the performances that take place on the stage every summer. The theatre features great actors, classical plays, ancient dramas, dance performances and various musical works. A theatre where the atmosphere mixes past and present, offering moments of pure art to the spectator. Segesta can be reached either by car or by bus, with the possibility of organising an excursion starting from the villa of the Giardini Mon Plaisir.
Rivalry with Selinunte
The history of Segesta is also linked to the ongoing rivalry with Selinunte that led the two neighbouring cities to battle each other and also saw the intervention of Athens to help Segesta.
In 409 B.C., the fighting ended when the Carthaginians besieged and destroyed Selinunte, always invoked by the Segestians.
The period of wars and battles continued with the Punic Wars, in which Segesta allied itself with Rome to defend itself against the Carthaginians’ attempted reconquest. However, Segesta was destroyed during the 5th century at the hands of the Vandals, and never returned to its previous size.
Wars and alternations of peoples make this place a unique and world-famous cultural heritage.
