Trapani
Trapani
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| Comune di Trapani | |
Trapani seen from Erice. | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
The comune of Trapani within the province of Trapani | |
Trapani Location of Trapani in Italy Trapani Trapani (Sicily) | |
| Coordinates: 38°01′03″N 12°30′54″E / 38.01750°N 12.51500°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Province | Trapani (TP) |
| Frazioni | Borgo Fazio, Fulgatore, Ummari, Xitta |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Giacomo Tranchida (PD) |
| Area | |
• Total | 180.49 km2 (69.69 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Population (1 January 2025) | |
• Total | 54,887 |
| • Density | 304.10/km2 (787.62/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Trapanese |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 91100 |
| Dialing code | 0923 |
| Patron saint | St. Albert |
| Saint day | August 7 |
| Website | Official website |
Trapani (US: /ˈtrɑːpəni/ TRAH-pə-nee; Italian: [ˈtraːpani] ⓘ; Sicilian: Tràpani [ˈʈɽaːpanɪ]) is a coastal city and comune in western Sicily, Italy, located on a crescent-shaped peninsula between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The capital of the Province of Trapani, it has long been associated with the historic salt trade and has increasingly developed as a destination for tourism.
The municipality comprises the urban area on the peninsula and a rural hinterland to the south, separated by the municipality of Paceco, while to the north-east the built-up area merges with the lower districts of Erice. Trapani lies at the base of Monte Erice, whose slopes and summit overlook the city and provide a link to the ancient settlement of Eryx.
Historically, Trapani’s economy was based on salt extraction and trade, together with red-coral fishing and processing, and tuna fishing and related food-processing industries. These activities were supported by its strategic position on the Mediterranean and by a natural harbour that served as the commercial outlet for Eryx. Today, the local economy is dominated by the service sector, with activities linked to public services, commerce and tourism, as well as services associated with the Port of Trapani and the city’s traditional fisheries.