After dinner at Calvino, one of the best pizzerias in Sicily, and maybe all over the world, Mario and Antonella and I went for a short walk along the nightly Trapani.
Let me remind readers that this happened at the end of November - at this time there are practically no tourists on the island. I admit, the city impressed me very much. Such a pleasant evening atmosphere was a complete surprise for me and Yana. We hasten to share photos with you, we hope you will have an even greater desire to repeat our routes.
This is what a typical street in Trapani looks like - narrow, often with one-way traffic. Pedestrians and cars - the road is the same for everyone.
Despite the fact that it was about nine in the evening, there are practically no people on the streets. The city is only for us. The secret was that the whole local population was still sitting at pizzerias and restaurants, since dinner in Trapani was scheduled at 20:00, and, as you know, Italians were in no hurry to eat.
Walking along the atmospheric lanes, we went to one of the main streets of the city of Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The restaurant business, especially in Sicily, is a family business. Those who cook deliciously and succeed, open in addition to the hotel. A case in point is the Ai Lumi Tavernetta tavern, where you can stay overnight and have a good dinner at the same time.
See this accommodation option at Bucking. I checked, they write: “Lumi Guesthouse is located in the 18th century town house. It offers elegant, air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi. The guesthouse is located in the historical center of Trapani, 100 meters from the beach. ”Prices, depending on the season: 70-90 euros per day for double rooms. Well, for the city center is very good.
The hotel has a traditional Sicilian courtyard.
In general, you can stop anywhere and just raise your head - you will always find something to see. Almost every facade, window, balcony has its own shape, stucco, different from all.
Yes, of course, you can chase the sights and historical facts, celebrate in all popular places in the world, but at the end of any trip you still have impressions of the general atmosphere.
It is such a simple contemplation of ordinary life and architecture that has its advantages, be sure to try it. Come to Trapani for a week, do not chase like crazy all the crazy tourists, but just live, feel and try to understand the life of ordinary Sicilians.
After standing enchanted by this courtyard for about ten minutes, we continued our acquaintance with the Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
I admit, all the time I was drawn to go back to the alleys, because there is so much unknown, but Mario constantly urged me: “Arturo, Arturo, let's go! I have so much to show you! ”
Although in fact I know that he was very flattered by my interest in details, which most tourists pass by. The patriotism of the Sicilians and their love for the history of their native country is worth learning from.
Mario and Antonella showed the church in which they married more than 40 years ago! The Cathedral of San Lorenzo, built in the 15th century on the site of a small church, is the main cathedral of Trapani. Even the wide-angle optics on the central (very narrow) street are not enough to convey the beauty of the architecture of this building.
The evening is a great time to look into the windows of shops to calmly admire and examine the goods on display. Here you can see, for example, traditional Sicilian handmade accessories using red coral.
Original beads.
Statue of the Virgin Mary. Nowhere without her. It is a sacred symbol of the city, and locals revere it.
Designer gift boxes decorated with pearls.
And here's another thing that makes Sicily famous all over the world. Ceramics. This art originated in Sicily long before our era and acquired more and more characteristic features. To this day, most ceramic products are made in a traditional style. In Sicily there is even a ceramics museum located in Caltagirone, which houses the largest collection of products.
Looking up from the windows, we continued our walk.
And at the end of the street we were waiting for one of the main attractions of Trapani - the Senate Palace and the clock tower Torre dell'Orologio.
This is the oldest entrance to the city; only one of the four entrances preserved to our time.
Gates to the city are opened by Via Torre Arsa, perpendicular to the main avenue of the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, built in the 13th century on the orders of James Ara. The oldest quarters of Casalicchio and Mezzo are located behind it.
And what are the city clocks without a lunar calendar.
And now we again came across a showcase with ceramics. Please note that yellow, blue and green are the predominant colors in many products, this is a tradition.
And again, coral beads.
At this place more than a hundred years ago the fish market was originally located, which we visited at the beginning of our trip.
Such large SUVs are rather the exception for the south of Italy, according to my observations, 90% of the fleet is small cars.
One of the first branches of the Bank of Sicily (Banco di Sicilia).
I sat down to photograph a car wheel, and here the watchman. There are a lot of cats in Sicily. Only here, unlike Rome, they freely walk along the city streets.
In the spring, these steps are lined with dozens of flowerpots. It looks mega-impressive on postcards. We will return here later and will definitely check.
In Sicily, it is impossible not to pay attention to details. Wherever you are, there is always something to see. For example, paving slabs, patterns are simply unrealistic.
I really like taking pictures after the rain. What you will not notice in the puddles.
For evening walks, heels are best left at home, as well as for the whole trip in Italy.
Oddly enough, in Trapani there are also shops for excellent shopping.
Of course, it is difficult to compare them with Milan or Roman outlets, but walking through these designer shops is very nice.
Monument to the national hero of all Italy - Giuseppe Garibaldi.
To completely blow our minds with impressions, Mario and Antonella showed us the Bar 900 confectionery. Our stomachs sang an ode to Sicilian cuisine that evening.
We will be happy to answer your questions in the comments.
