Segesta
The ancient Elymians must have been great aesthetes if their choice of sites is any indication. Along with Erice and Entella, they founded Segesta on Monte Barbaro.
Set on the edge of a deep canyon in the midst of wild, desolate mountains, this huge 5th century - BC temple is one of the world’s most magical ancient sites. On windy days its 36 giant columns are said to act like an organ, producing mysterious notes.
The city was in constant conflict with Greek Selinunte – understandable if the Elymians were descended from the Trojans – whose destruction (409 BC) the Elymians pursued with bloodthirsty determination. Unfortunately, such mutual antipathy was to have fatal consequences, and more than 100 years later the Greek tyrant, Agathocles, repaid the Elymians in kind, slaughtering over 10.000 people and repopulating the city with Greeks. It is to them that we owe the two outstanding survivors: the theatre high up on the mountain, with commanding views out to Castellammare del Golfo, and
the never completed Doric temple. The latter dates from around 430 BC and is remarkably well preserved.
From mid-June to mid-September performances of Greek plays are staged in the theatre.
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