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Selinunte
Attacked by Carthage in 409 bc, Selinunte fell after only 9 days' siege, in spite of the redoubtable fortifications; the inhabitants were sold into slavery and the city destroyed. Forgotten for centuries, it was rediscovered in the 16th century, but serious excavations were begun only 300 years later. The temples are identified by letters of the alphabet, because their attribution is still uncertain; they were found completely flattened, partly due to the Carthaginian destruction, partly to earthquakes, but one of the eastern group has been restored. A miniature train connects the most important areas in the park, or you can walk. Parking areas are available at the entrance and at the acropolis. To top of page |
In a superb position
overlooking the sea are the extensive ruins (270ha,
the largest archaeological park in Europe) of the ancient city of Selinunte.
Founded in 651 bc as a colony of Megara Hyblaea, the name derives from the
wild celery, Apium graveolens (selinon in Greek), which grows here in abundance,
and which appears on the coins. The ancient town with its acropolis occupied
a raised terrace between the River Selinon, now Modione, and a marshy depression
called Gorgo di Cottone, and possessed a harbour at the mouth of each valley,
a necropolis to the north, a sanctuary to Demeter to the west, and a group
of large Doric temples to the east; it was very wealthy, and had a huge
population.