Selinunte is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and famous archaeological sites in Sicily. Set in a secluded position on the west coast, between Mazara del Vallo and Sciacca, The Archaeological Park of Selinunte is an exciting example of Greek civilization in Sicily: the white temple ruins stand out against the sky and sea, making the entire archaeological Park of Selinunte and its enchanting area of about 250 acres the largest in Europe.
The Archeological Park of Selinunte
Established in 1993 to protect the vast expanse of present findings, the archaeological park of Selinunte, is divided into four distinct areas:
The eastern hill was a suburb of the town. The scene is completely dominated by the remains of three temples E, F, and G.
Temple E, built in the Doric style in the fifth century BC, is the best preserved building within the Archaeological Park: dedicated to Hera (Juno), it was rebuilt in 1958 with 38 columns hoisted again and now visible in all their glory.
Temple F, is the smallest and oldest of the three, dating from the sixth century BC. Unfortunately, the building’s several blocks were used for other buildings in the modern era.
Temple G, dedicated to Apollo, is the largest of Selinunte and a rare work of majesty from the Greek world: a 110 meters long and 50 wide, its construction was begun in the sixth century BC but was probably never completed, which is assumed by some columns that are not leveled. Today it is a heap of ruins, of which a column was partially restored in 1832.
The acropolis of Selinunte, located a few meters from the sea, was surrounded by strong walls which are still partly visible. The north gate complex, consisting of towers, underground tunnels, and catapults, is one of the most impressive military structures of ancient Sicily.
A small civil construction site was placed in the southern part of the acropolis where the sign of Tanit was found, a symbol of the Phoenician goddess, protector of the city and trade. On the east side temples O and A were built, of which, only a few blocks remain standing. Further north are the temples C, B, and D.
Temple C, dedicated to Apollo, is the largest building on the Acropolis and placed in the highest position, a very scenic location in the Selinunte coast. It collapsed due to a strong earthquake, but was partially lifted in the twenties of the twentieth century. Three metopes, sculptures in high relief once placed in the high temple, from this temple were brought to the Archaeological Museum in Palermo.
Temple B, smaller than the other sacred buildings, has been the subject of study due to traces of color given on its columns, hinting at the possibility that some buildings were presented in different colors with respect to how they are shown today.
Temple D, of considerable size, was built in the sixth century BC in honor of Aphrodite, though some scholars do not exclude that the goddess Athena was worshiped in this place as well. It is placed further north than the other temples of the Acropolis, and had a total of 38 columns, 13 long its side and 6 in the shortest.
sue colonne, facendo intuire la possibilità che alcuni edifici si presentassero di diverso colore rispetto a come si mostrano oggi.
Il tempio D, di notevoli dimensioni, fu edificato nel VI secolo a.C. in onore di Afrodite, anche se alcuni studiosi non escludono che fosse Athena la dea venerata in questo luogo. Posto più a nord rispetto agli altri templi dell’acropoli, presentava 38 colonne complessive, 13 nel lato più lungo e 6 in quello più corto.
The hill Gaggera, which is flanked by the river Modione, was the sacred part of the city: sacrifices to the Gods and funeral processions used to rest there before reaching the necropolis.
And the sanctuary of Demeter Malaphoros (the Goddess of the pomegranate) the building that represented the sacredness of the whole area: built during the first half of the sixth century, it is a large structure in which there were found small jars containing the ashes of sacrifices and figurines depicting a female figure who carries a pomegranate. Inside you still see the great altar of sacrifice, over sixteen feet long.
The Hill of Manuzza, once inhabited the main city, but today it is devoid of any particular interest
Historical Background of Selinunte
Built in the seventh century BC by Greek colonists from Megara Hyblea, Selinunte probably owes its name to a type of wild parsley present in abundance in the area (selinon).
Situated on a small plateau so as to facilitate its defense, the Greek colony Selinunte was the most western of Sicily: its history was short, marked by a rapid economic development, followed by a rapid period of decline.
Its period of greatest splendor dates from the sixth century BC, in which Selinunte was able to establish itself as an important commercial and military center in Sicily. The dynamism of the colony allowed for the expansion of its large territory, controlled by satellite towns (such as Eraclea Minoa) hence its continuity for some time. The coastal defense, however, was secured by a slender but fearsome war fleet.
Bitter enemy of the nearby Segesta, an ally of Carthage and Syracuse, it was at the hands of the Carthaginians, to whom it owes its disappearance. Selinunte called to the aid of Segesta, the bloody army of Hannibal Mago besieged it for nine days in which Selinunte failed to put up an adequate defense. The city was razed to the ground and the population deported to Africa and other Sicilian cities (especially in ancient Marsala).
A slight recovery occurred only during the Byzantine period but a strong earthquake struck down any attempt to rebirth Selinunte. The importance of the archaeological site was discovered in the sixteenth century, but only in 1823 had the first archaeological excavations been organized.