Elymian-Punic Walls of Erice
38°02′28″N 12°35′16″E / 38.04110201578538°N 12.587711394288396°E
Porta Spada, an entrance gate in the walls | |
Interactive map of Elymian–Punic Walls of Erice | |
| Location | Erice, Trapani, Sicily, Italy |
|---|---|
| Region | Sicily |
| Coordinates | 38°02′28″N 12°35′16″E / 38.041102°N 12.587711°E |
| Type | City walls |
| Length | About 800 m (2,600 ft) |
| History | |
| Founded | Early 5th century BC (rebuild late 4th–early 3rd century BC; major repairs 14th century AD) |
| Periods | Classical antiquity; Medieval |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Partly standing |
| Public access | Yes |
The Elymian–Punic Walls of Erice are early 5th-century BC fortifications enclosing the ancient city of Eryx (modern Erice, Sicily). First constructed during the Elymian period and later modified and expanded under Punic control, the walls run along the slope of Monte Erice facing Trapani and Bonagia, where they block the easiest route up the hill—a narrow gap between two rocky ridges.
The best-preserved line extends for about 800 m (0.50 mi). From south to north it includes three principal gates—Porta Trapani, Porta Carmine, and Porta Spada—and excavations have identified the remains of a fourth gate oriented towards Castellammare del Golfo (commonly called Porta Castellammare).