Selinunte - Selinunte

Selinunte (full name: Marinella di Selinunte), is an archaeological site in the municipality of Castelvetrano, in province of Trapani, on the southern coast of the Sicily, from which it is about 14 km. It is most famous for the nearby ruins of the Greek city of Selinunte, located in Selinunte Archaeological Park, one of the main tourist attractions of this region.

To know

Selinunte (in ancient Greek: Σελινοῦς, Selinûs; in Latin: Selinus) was an ancient Greek city; today it is the largest archaeological park in Europe. In the archaeological site, on the acropolis there are some temples along with other secondary constructions, while other temples are located on a nearby hill. Many buildings are ruined following earthquakes that occurred in medieval times; however, some interventions of anastylosis made it possible to almost completely reconstruct Temple E (the so-called temple of Hera), and to raise one of the long sides of Temple C to a large extent. The sculptures found in the excavations were placed above all in the National Archaeological Museum of Palermo. The most famous work, theEphebe of Selinunte, which today is exhibited at the Civic Museum of Castelvetrano.

Geographical notes

The archaeological site of Selinunte is divided into several parts. There eastern hilly area with the temples E, F and G. One kilometer higher above the sea, the ruins of the old walled city with theAcropolis and temples A, B, C, D and O. Further west near the Gàggera hill is the sanctuary Malaphoros with the necropolis. In the north there is a large necropolis.

When to go

Climate	gen	Feb	mar	apr	mag	down	Jul	needle	set	Oct	nov	dec
Maximum (° C)	15	15	17	19	23	27	29	30	28	24	19	16
Minimum (° C)	8	7	8	10	14	17	20	21	19	16	12	9
Source: Castelvetrano weather

The park is best visited in spring with flower fields and with far fewer tourists than during the high season. It should also be added that the high temperatures and long distances make it unpleasant to visit in the height of summer.

Background

Selinunte was founded around 700 BC. by settlers from the Greek city Megara (an independent city-state 35 km from Athens). Around 580 BC a conflict broke out with the indigenous natives of Segesta. To obtain support, the Greeks of Selinunte entered into an alliance with Carthage and later with Syracuse. Even in times of peace, the conflict remained with Segesta. In 415 BC Segesta persuaded the Athenians to send an expedition, however this did not result in a clash with Selinunte. In 409 BC Marsala fought against Selinunte. They took possession of the city after a ten-day siege. The displaced residents returned after the demolition of the city walls and entered into a pact with the Carthaginians. As an ally of the Carthaginians, the city regained power and grandeur. Around 250 BC, after the first Punic war against the Romans, the Carthaginians destroyed the city and retreated to Lilibeo (under the current Marsala). Selinunte was never rebuilt. In the 19th century, the ruins of the city were barely recognizable. In the 20th century, temples were excavated on the eastern hill. In 1950, Temple E was controversially rebuilt and excavations of the Acropolis began.

How to get

By plane

Vincenzo Florio Airport (IATA: TPS) of Trapani is Falcone and Borsellino Airport (IATA: PMO) of Palermo.

By car

Coming out of Trapani, take the south, then exit a Castelvetrano and follow the up to Marinella di Selinunte. Take the first exit on the right at the Marinella roundabout. After 50 meters you will find a parking lot and access to the park.

On the train

The nearest railway station is in Castelvetrano. Information on rail connections is available on the website of Trenitalia.

By bus

The bus company Salemi runs 4 times a day from the Castelvetrano train station to Marinella di Selinunte.

Permits / Rates

There are two entrances to the park. One on the east side from the hamlet of Marinella di Selinunte (eastern hill), and one from the west side from the hamlet of Triscina of Selinunte (sanctuary of the Malophòros).

• 37.5849612.837121 Selinunte Archaeological Park (Main entrance), ☎ 39 0924 46277, 39 338 7842978, @[email protected]. Full € 6, reduced 3 €. Access is free on the first Sunday of each month (Sep 2020). Entrance: 9: 00-18: 00. 
• 37.58354312.8272972 Acropolis entrance. 

How to get around

All areas are connected by pedestrian paths, however it is possible to take the tourist train for € 6.00. As it could be very hot, it is advisable to go as early as possible as there is little shade. Wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. In front of the park entrance it is possible to buy drinks and sandwiches. On the eastern hill and near the Acropolis are the toilets. The complete map of the park can be downloaded here.

What see

East hill

• 37.586612.83481 Temple E. Doric temple dedicated to Hera, has an area of ​​70.2 x 27.6 m (15 x 6 columns) and was built between 460 and 450 BC. Four metopes (decorative elements) are found in the archaeological museum of Palermo. The temple belongs to the transition period between the archaic Doric and the classical period. It was rebuilt in 1959 amid controversy, but today it is the most photographed subject in the park.  

• 37.587312.83492 Temple F. This is the smallest of the three paired temples, with an area of ​​61.8 - 24.4 m (6 x 14 columns). It is assumed that it was dedicated to Dionysus or Athena. It was built between 550-520 BC. The stones of the temple were used for other purposes after its collapse. The metopes of this temple are also housed in the Archaeological Museum of Palermo. With the exception of the columns of the facade, the stems of the columns lack entasis, i.e. the swelling of the column stem to about one third of its height to highlight the state of tension of the column which reacts to the compression to which it is subjected.  
• 37.588212.83493 Temple G. This temple is probably dedicated to Apollo with an area of ​​113 x 54 m (17 x 8 columns). It is the largest in Selinunte and one of the largest in Sicily after that of Agrigento. Its construction began in 530 BC. and it is believed that the works were not yet complete when the city was destroyed. It is also hypothesized due to the size that it was a ipetral temple, that is, not covered.  
• 37.5883212.8333594 Baglio Florio Museum. Obtained from a nineteenth-century structure of the Florio family. It collects artifacts ranging from the Archaic to the Hellenistic age. 

Acropolis

The urban layout is divided into districts by two main roads (width 9 m) which cross at right angles, intersected in turn - every 32 m - by other smaller streets (width 5 m). This urban layout - which reproduces the oldest one - dates back to the 4th century BC, that is to the Punic Selinunte.

• 37.584112.825785 City walls. The city walls were restored after the destruction of the city by the Carthaginians and surrounded the entire old city. They are articulated as a long gallery (originally covered), parallel to the stretch of the north walls, with numerous closed arched passages, followed by a deep defensive moat crossed by a bridge, and with three semicircular towers to the west, north and east. Turning outside the north tower - with an artillery depot at the base - you enter the straight east-west trench with passages in both walls. The most visible remains are found in the eastern part of the acropolis. 
• 37.5823312.825296 Temple O. It was built together with temple A between 490 and 460 BC. Only a few parts remain of this southernmost temple of the acropolis. The temple had an area of ​​40.2 x 16.2 m (14 x 6 columns) and was probably dedicated to Poseidon.  

• 37.5825612.825347 Temple A. This temple is identical to temple O. Here is the altar as well as the spiral staircases leading to the Naos (the most sacred room in the temple). The pronaos has a mosaic floor where the symbolic figure of the Phoenician goddess Tanit, a caduceus, the sun, a crown and a bovine head are represented: it testifies to the reuse of the environment in the Punic era as a religious place or as a home. It seems that it was dedicated to the Dioscuri.  

• 37.5829512.825428 Mègaron (South of temple C). This building is a shrine 17.65 m long and 5.50 m wide, which dates back to 580-570 BC. It has the archaic structure of the mègaron, and perhaps it was intended to preserve the offerings of the faithful. Without a pronaos, it has an entrance to the east that gives directly into the cell (in the center of which there are two bases for the wooden columns that supported the roof), enclosed at the bottom by a square adyton, to which a third environment. The chapel was perhaps dedicated to Demetra Tesmofòros. 
• 37.5829612.825699 Temple B (South of temple C and east of Megaron). Of modest size (length 8.40 m; width 4.60 m) it is in poor condition. It consisted of a prostyle aedicule with 4 columns which was accessed by a staircase of 9 steps, with a pronaos and a cell. In 1824 it was discovered by J. Hittorf and still showed clear traces of polychrome plaster. Probably built around 250 BC, shortly before Selinunte was definitively evacuated, it represents the only religious building that attests to the modest rebirth of the city after its destruction. Its destination remains obscure: in the past it was believed to be the heroon (temple seat of a heroic cult) of Empedocle, reclamation of the Selinuntine marshes, a hypothesis no longer sustainable for the chronology of the building; today we think more of a strongly Hellenized Punic cult, such as those of Demeter or Asclepius-Eshmun.  

• 37.583212.825310 Temple C. It is the oldest temple in this area and dates back to 550 BC. it was dedicated to Apollo. In 1925-27 numerous columns (to be precise 14 out of 17 columns) with part of the entablature were reassembled and raised on the N side. It has a peristyle (length 63.70 m; width 24 m) of 6 x 17 columns (height 8.62 m). It is characterized to the east by the entrance preceded by a staircase of 8 steps, a vestibule with a second row of columns, then the pronaos, the cella and the adyton connected in a long and narrow whole; it has essentially the same plan as Temple F on the eastern hill. In several elements it shows a certain constructive inexperience and the effort to reach the technical perfection of the Doric temple: for example the columns are stubby and massive, some of them are still monolithic, there is no entasis (swelling of the column), there are variations in the number of grooves, oscillations in the measures of the intercolumns, the corner columns have a larger diameter than the others, etc.

In the temple some fragments of polychrome terracotta (red, brown, purple) were found from the decoration of the frame; from the decoration of the pediment a gigantic clay gorgoneion (height 2.50 m); from the facade three metopes exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Palermo. This temple probably also had an archive function: in fact hundreds of seals were found there.  

• 37.58313312.82616911 Large rectangular altar (East of temple C). An altar (length 20.40 m; width 8 m) of which the foundations and a few steps remain, just beyond the remains of houses. 

• 37.5836312.8249612 Temple D. This temple dates back to 540 BC. and faces with its west front directly on the north-south road. It has a peristyle (length 56 m; width 24 m) of 6 x 13 columns (height 7.51 m). It is characterized by a pronaos in antis, an elongated cell ending with adyton. It is more advanced than Temple C (the columns are slightly inclined, more slender and with èntasis; the vestibule is replaced by a pronaos distyle in antis), but still shows uncertainty in the measurements between the intercolumns and in the diameters of the columns, as well as in the number grooves. As in Temple C, it shows many circular or square cavities in the pavement of the peristyle and the cell, the function of which is unknown. It was dedicated to Athena. The large external altar, not aligned with the temple but placed obliquely near its southwest corner, suggests that the current Temple D occupies the place of a previous one.  
• Byzantine buildings. Around Temples C and D there are the ruins of a Byzantine village of the 5th century AD, built with recycled material. The fact that some houses were buried by the collapse of the columns of Temple C, has shown that the earthquake that led to the collapse of the Selinunte temples must have occurred in the early Middle Ages. 

Gàggera Hill

On the western hill it is reached by a path that starts from the acropolis and crosses the Modione river.

• 37.58623812.81776213 Temple of Hera (Just before the sanctuary). It is a small temple with a large altar dedicated to the goddess Hera. 

• 37.58699312.81738214 Sanctuary of Demeter Malophoros. Complex construction, much remodeled and equally damaged, it was erected in the 6th century BC. on the sandy slope of the hill; it probably served as a station for the funeral processions which then continued on to the necropolis of Manicalunga. At the beginning the place, certainly devoid of any construction, provided for outdoor worship practices around some ara; only after the erection of the temple and the high enclosure wall (teamenos), it was transformed into a sanctuary.

Immediately beyond the canal there is the real Temple of Demeter in the shape of mègaron, (length 20.40 m; width 9.52 m), without base and columns, with pronaos, cell and adyton with a vaulted niche in the back wall; a rectangular service area leans on the north side of the pronaos. The mègaron it had an older phase, recognizable however only at the foundation level. To the south of the temple there are a square structure and a rectangular structure close to the boundary wall, of unclear function; to the north of the temple, another structure with two rooms, communicating both with the inside and with the outside of the sacred enclosure, perhaps constitutes a secondary entrance to the teamenos, remodeled in a late period.

There are many finds from the sanctuary (all preserved in the Museum of Palermo): arule sculpted with mythological scenes; about 12,000 votive figurines of male and female offerers in terracotta, datable between the 7th and 5th centuries BC; large censer-busts depicting Demeter and perhaps Tanit; a large amount of Corinthian pottery; a bas-relief depicting the rape of Persephone by Hades comes from the entrance area to the enclosure. The Christian materials found prove the presence from the 3rd to the 5th century AD. of a Christian religious community in the sanctuary area.  

• 37.58680212.81727615 Temenos by Zeus Meilichios (immediately to the right of the Demeter Malophoros sanctuary). This consists of a quadrangular enclosure (60 x 50 m) which is accessed on the E side through a square propylaum in antis - built in the 5th century BC. - preceded by a small staircase and a circular structure; outside the enclosure wall, the propylaum is flanked by the remains of a long portico (stoà) equipped with seats for pilgrims, in front of which various altars or donations are highlighted. Inside the temenosinstead, in the center, there is the great altar (length 16.30 m; width 3.15 m), found full of ashes, animal bones and other remains of sacrifices; it shows an addition towards the south-west, while the remains of an earlier archaic altar are visible at its north-west end, and a square well is placed in the direction of the temple. Between the altar and the temple there is also a stone channel which, coming from the N, crosses the whole area, bringing water from a nearby spring to the sanctuary.

To the south of the propylaum, leaning against the surrounding wall, there is an enclosure dedicated to Hecate: square in shape, the chapel is located in the corner E near an entrance to the enclosure, while in the south corner there is a small square paved space. plates, of unknown destination. At 15 m northwards, another quadrangular enclosure (17 m on the side) is dedicated to Zeus Meilìchios and Pasikràteia (Zeus "sweet as honey" and Persephone): much reworked - so much so that it is not always easy to understand the various structures - it was built at the end of the 4th century BC It consists of: an enclosure surrounded on two sides by columns of different types, attributable to a portico rebuilt in the Hellenistic period; a small prostyle temple in antis (length 5.22 m; width 3.02 m) placed at the end of the enclosure, with Doric-type monolithic columns, but Ionic-type entablature; two altars in the center of the area. Outside, to the west, the faithful had placed several small steles crowned by the images of the divine couple (two faces: one male and the other female) rendered with a few engraved features: found together with ashes and remains of offerings, testify the convergence of the Greek cult of chthonic divinities with Punic religiosity. 

• 37.58884712.8152916 Houses of the Gaggera (Antiquarium). It is a small museum that is partially built on the ancient edge of the homonymous spring. 
• 37.58939812.81514917 So called Temple M. In reality it is a monumental fountain. Rectangular in shape (length 26.80 m; width 10.85 m; height 8 m), built with square blocks, it was formed by a cistern (so-called "cell"), a closed basin protected by a columned portico (so-called " pronao "), and a flight of steps with four steps (the so-called" altar ") with a large paved area in front of it. The building, which had Doric forms, dates back to the mid-sixth century BC. mainly for the architectural terracotta found there. The fragments of metopes with Amazonomachy, on the other hand, although found nearby, are not pertinent to the building, which had smooth and smaller metopes. 

Necropolis

• 37.59207312.82232818 Necropolis. some parts of the tomb paintings found on the necropolis on the east side are exhibited in the Acropolis visitor center. 

What to do

In the summer season, immediately after the visit, we suggest a refreshing swim in the nearby beach from where it is possible to see the times from the sea.

• Guided tours (Streets of Sicily), ☎ 39 3770872496. Guided group or private tours to Selinunte, Trapani and throughout Sicily. 

Shopping

Souvenir stalls are located in front of the entrance. They sell pottery with archaeological images. Postcards are probably a good choice.

Where to eat

There are no restaurants inside the park. Many restaurants can be found in Marinella di Selinunte.

• 37.5845812.838671 Trattoria Pizzeria Olimpo, Via Giovanni Caboto, 132 - Marinella, ☎ 39 0924 46876. 
• 37.5819512.834292 Fontana Natale restaurant, Via Marco Polo, 49 - Marinella, ☎ 39 0924 46680. 
• 37.5854112.839223 Giulio Cesare restaurant, Via degli Argonauti, 10 - Marinella, ☎ 39 0924 46335. 

Drinking

• 37.5821712.839861 Penguin Bar, Via del Cantone, 3 - Marinella (near the marina), ☎ 39 0924 46231, @[email protected]. 

Where stay

• 37.5824912.832711 Hotel Miramare Selinunte, Via Antonio Pigafetta, 2 - Marinella, ☎ 39 0924 46666, @[email protected]. From € 70. Some rooms at the front have large terraces overlooking the sea. 
• 37.5834112.849162 Hotel Oasi di Selinunte, Via Pitagora, 63 - Marinella, ☎ 39 0924 46885, @[email protected]. From € 65 pp.. 4-star hotel with spa and swimming pool. 
• 37.5839712.777693 Triscinamare, Viale Mediterraneo (formerly Via Uno), 233 - Triscina, ☎ 39 0924 84082. From € 45. Terrace with swimming pool. 
• 37.5977712.842894 Camping The Beetle, SS 115 Dir. A, 106 - Marinella, ☎ 39 0924 46044, @[email protected]. Chalet for rent. 

Safety

In the summer, but also on beautiful spring days, the biggest problem is the heat. As the site is vast it is necessary to be properly dressed wearing a hat and sunglasses. It is also essential to supply yourself with an adequate amount of drinking water.

• Emergency ☎ 112
• Police ☎ 113
• Fire fighters ☎ 115

How to keep in touch

Post office

• 37.6802612.793733 Post Office, Via Vittorio Emanuele, 60 - Castelvetrano, ☎ 39 0924 81504. 

Internet

• Internet point, piazza Carlo d’Aragona, corner of via Vespri - Castelvetrano. free. In premises made available by the municipality of Castelvetrano. 

Around

• Palermo - After visiting the archaeological area it will undoubtedly be interesting to see the spectacular metopes of the temples and other finds from Selinunte at the Salinas Archaeological Museum.

• 37.61944412.72254 Cave of Cusa (Fortresses of Cusa) (11 km from Selinunte). It was an old quarry that had already been used in the 6th century BC. to obtain building stones for Selinunte. These days it is an official archaeological tourist destination. The entrance ticket is 2 €. The place is located 3 km south of Campobello di Mazara, which is 12.5 km west of Marinella di Selinunte. Especially in spring, it is a wonderful place for a picnic.  
• 37.58527812.7908335 Triscina of Selinunte. Triscina di Selinunte is located about 10 km west of the park. This place has wide beaches and is free from mass tourism. It is only a 2km walk between Marinella and Triscina that crosses the archaeological site. 
• 37.5651212.725376 Three Fountains. A few kilometers west of Triscina is Tre Fontane. In summer this is a true beach resort with many amenities and a water park (Acqua Splash). 
• 37.6764612.791957 Civic Museum of Castelvetrano, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 50 Castelvetrano, ☎ 39 0924 909605. Monday-Saturday: 09:00 - 18:30 - Sunday: 09:00 - 13:00. Here is theEphebo of Selinunte, bronze sculpture from 480-460 BC 

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• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Selinunte
• Commons contains images or other files on Selinunte
• Wikiquote contains quotes from or about Selinunte

Guide : the article respects the characteristics of a usable article but in addition it contains a lot of information and allows a visit to the archaeological site without problems. The article contains an adequate number of images, a fair number of listings. There are no style errors.