Editing Trapani

{{For|the surname|Trapani (surname)}}
{{Redirect2|Drepanon|Drepane|Drepanon in Bithynia|Helenopolis, Bithynia|the genus of fishes|Drepane (fish)}}
{{Expand Italian|Trapani|topic=geo|date=May 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox Italian comune
| name                   = Trapani
| official_name          = Comune di Trapani
| native_name            = {{native name|scn|Tràpani}}<br>{{native name|el|Drèpanon}}
| image_skyline          = Trapani from erice.jpg
| imagesize              = 
| image_alt              = 
| image_caption          = Trapani seen from [[Erice]]. The islands of [[Favignana]] (left) and [[Levanzo]] (right) can be seen in the background
| image_flag             =Flag of Trapani.svg 
| image_shield           = Coat_of_arms_of_Trapani.svg
| shield_size            = 
| image_map              = Map_of_comune_of_Trapani_(province_of_Trapani,_region_Sicily,_Italy).svg
| mapsize                = 100px
| map_alt                = 
| map_caption            = The comune of Trapani within the province of Trapani
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt        = 
| coordinates            = {{coord|38|01|03|N|12|30|54|E|region:IT-TP_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes  = 
| region                 = [[Sicily]]
| province               = [[Province of Trapani|Trapani]] (TP)
| frazioni               = Marausa, Xitta, Palma, Fontanasalsa, Guarrato, Fulgatore, Salinagrande, Locogrande, Rilievo, Borgo Fazio, Ummari
| mayor_party            = [[Democratic Party (Italy)|PD]]
| mayor                  = [[Giacomo Tranchida]]
| area_footnotes         = 
| area_total_km2         = 271
| population_footnotes   = 
| population_total       = 67531
| population_as_of       = March 31, 2020
| pop_density_footnotes  = 
| population_demonym     = Trapanese
| elevation_footnotes    = 
| elevation_m            = 3
| twin1                  = 
| twin1_country          = 
|istat=| saint                  = [[Albert of Trapani|St. Albert]]
| day                    = August 7
| postal_code            = 91100
| area_code              = 0923
| website                = {{official website|http://www.comune.trapani.it}}
| footnotes              = 
}}

'''Trapani''' ({{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|t|r|ɑː|p|ə|n|i}} {{respell|TRAH|pə|nee}}; {{IPA|it|ˈtraːpani|lang|It-Trapani.ogg}}; {{langx|scn|Tràpani}} {{IPA|scn|ˈʈɽaːpanɪ|}}) is a city and municipality (''[[comune]]'') with 54,887 inhabitants,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bilancio demografico mensile anno 2024 (dati provvisori) |url=https://demo.istat.it/app/?a=2024&i=D7B |access-date= |website=demo.istat.it}}</ref> on the west coast of [[Sicily]], in [[Italy]]. It is the capital of the [[Province of Trapani]]. Founded by [[Elymians]], the city is still an important fishing port and the main gateway to the nearby [[Egadi Islands]].

Historically, Trapani developed a thriving economy based on the extraction and trade of [[salt]], benefiting from its strategic position projecting into the [[Mediterranean Sea]], and from its port, which was once the commercial gateway for the ancient city of [[Eryx (Sicily)|Eryx]] (modern-day [[Erice]]), situated atop the mountain that overlooks it. Today, its economy relies primarily on the service sector, fishing (historically tuna fishing using traditional methods known as ''[[mattanza]]''), [[marble]] quarrying and exportation, commercial activities, and tourism.

The urban agglomeration includes approximately 80,000 residents, as it also encompasses the populous district of Casa Santa,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comune.Erice.TP.it, Tavola con la posizione del quartiere Casa Santa, 6° Settore Ufficio Tecnico |url=https://www.comune.erice.tp.it/s3prod/uploads/ckeditor/attachments/5/3/7/9/7/Toponomastica_5_Casa_Santa.pdf}}</ref> administratively belonging to the municipality of Erice.

==History==
{{main|Drepana|Timeline of Trapani}}

=== Origin of the name ===
The city was originally named ''Drépanon'' from the [[Greek language|Greek]] word for "[[sickle]]", because of the curving shape of its harbour.

Two ancient legends relate supposed mythical origins for the city and its name. In the first legend, Trapani stemmed from the sickle which fell from the hands of the goddess [[Demeter]] while she was seeking for her daughter [[Persephone]], who had been kidnapped by [[Hades]]. The second myth features [[Kronos (mythology)|Kronos]], who eviscerated his father [[Ouranos (mythology)|Ouranos]], god of the sky, with a sickle which, falling into the sea, created the city. In ancient times, Saturn (i.e., the [[Canaanite religion|Punic god]] [[Baal Hammon]]) was the patron god of Trapani. Today, Saturn's statue stands in a piazza in the centre of the city.

In [[Virgil]]'s ''[[Aeneid]]'', [[Anchises]], father of [[Aeneas]], died in Drepanum, and after fleeing from [[Dido]], the Trojan hero returned there to hold funeral games in his honor, known as the ''ludi novendiales''.

=== Foundation ===
[[File:Mura di Tramontana - centro storico.jpg|thumb|Sight from the old wall of Tramontana]]
The founders of the earliest settlement of [[Drepana]] were likely the Elymians, a people who inhabited western Sicily during the protohistoric era, with Eryx (modern-day Erice), one of their main centers, overlooking it from [[Monte Erice]]. The foundation of Trapani almost certainly predates the [[fall of Troy]] ([[1180s BC|1184 BC]]). The original village of Trapani probably arose on an island separated from the marshy mainland by a navigable channel, serving as the commercial port for Erice. Due to its favorable geographical location, Trapani quickly developed into a thriving emporium-city.

=== Carthaginian Influence ===
[[File:Trapani1.JPG|thumb|Torre Peliade (Colombaia)]]
Between the [[9th century BC|9th]] and [[8th century BC|8th]] centuries BC, Trapani came under [[Punic people|Punic]] influence. Throughout the subsequent wars against the Greeks and [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]], Trapani fortified itself and remained a steadfast ally of [[Ancient Carthage|Carthage]]. In [[260 BC]], [[Hamilcar Barca|Hamilcar]] arrived in Sicily, reinforced the city's defensive walls, and constructed the ''[[Castello di Terra]]'', the ''[[Torre Pali]]'', and the ''[[Torre Peliade]]'' (also known as ''Colombaia''). He also relocated part of Erice's population to Trapani. The Carthaginian general [[Adherbal (admiral)|Adherbal]], who had established his military headquarters in the city, defeated the [[Roman people|Romans]] in the [[Battle of Drepana]]. Together with [[Lilybaeum]] (modern-day Marsala), Drepana was among the last Carthaginian strongholds in Sicily.

=== From Roman Times to Spanish Domination ===
Trapani's strategic location played a significant role during the [[First Punic War]], notably in 249 BC, when the Carthaginians defeated the Roman fleet in the Battle of Drepana. However, a few years later, in [[241 BC]], the Romans under [[Gaius Lutatius Catulus (consul 242 BC)|Gaius Lutatius Catulus]] decisively defeated the Carthaginian fleet at the [[Battle of the Aegates]], marking the end of the war. Rome subsequently captured the city, Latinizing its name to ''Drepanum''.

The Romans treated Sicilian cities according to their behavior during the Punic Wars. Drepanum was categorized among the 26 "censorial cities" (''civitates censoriae''), known for their steadfast resistance against Roman forces. Consequently, Rome penalized the city for its loyalty to Carthage, leading Trapani into a period of decline and depopulation.

After Roman rule, the [[Vandals]] and later the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]] dominated the city. However, significant growth occurred in the [[9th century]] under [[Muslim Sicily|Arab rule]] (from 827), who called the city ''Itràbinis'', ''Taràbanis'', or ''Tràpanesch'', and subsequently under the [[Normans]], who captured Trapani in [[1077]] under [[Roger I of Sicily|Roger I]]. In these periods, Trapani flourished commercially and culturally, becoming an essential harbor during the [[Crusades]]. Throughout the [[Middle Ages]], Trapani's port was among the most prominent in the Mediterranean; all major [[maritime republics]] ([[Republic of Genoa|Genoa]], [[Republic of Pisa|Pisa]], [[Republic of Venice|Venice]], [[Republic of Amalfi|Amalfi]]) maintained [[Consulate|consulates]] there. The city notably served as a strategic stopover, especially for Genoa and Pisa, en route to their [[North Africa|North African]] territories.

In [[1266]], during the [[War of Saint Sabas]], Venetian and Genoese fleets clashed in front of Trapani's harbor, with the Venetians capturing the entire Genoese fleet.
[[File:Arrivo aragonesi.jpg|thumb|[[Peter III of Aragon|Peter III Aragon]], in Trapani (Sicily) during the "''Vespri siciliani''" (1282) (Biblioteca Vaticana)]]
In [[1282]], after a brief period under [[Angevin invasion of Sicily|Angevin]] control, Trapani played an active role in the [[Sicilian Vespers]] rebellion led by [[Palmiero Abate]], subsequently coming under [[Crown of Aragon|Aragonese]] rule. Throughout the [[14th century|14th]] and [[15th century|15th]] centuries, Trapani expanded, becoming the economic and political center of Western Sicily. In [[1478]], King [[Ferdinand II of Aragon]] honored Trapani with the title ''Invittissima'' ("Most Invincible"), acknowledging its steadfast resistance to the kingdom's enemies.

In [[1516]], Trapani was among the Sicilian cities that rebelled against [[Hugo de Moncada]]. The revolt was led by [[Don Simone Sanclemente]], who briefly established himself as ''Capitano di giustizia'' (Chief Justice), effectively becoming the city's ruler for several months.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Monroy |first=Giuseppe |title=Storia di un borgo feudale del Seicento: Paceco |publisher=Officina Tipografica Editoriale Radio |year=1929 |location=Trapani |pages=43-44 |language=Italian}}</ref>
[[File:Palazzo Senatorio Trapani Sicilia.jpg|thumb|Palazzo Cavarretta or ''Senatorio'', seat of the [[Senate of Trapani|historical city senate]], and of the actual municipal council.]]
On August 20, [[1535]], Emperor [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] arrived in Trapani after [[Conquest of Tunis (1535)|conquering Tunis]]. Recognizing the city's strategic importance, Charles V described Trapani as the "Key to the Kingdom" and swore to uphold its privileges, including the authority granted to the [[Senate of Trapani]] to confer university degrees in medicine, physics, theology, mathematics, fine arts, and law. In [[1589]], Trapani was formally elevated from ''Terra'' (land) to ''Civitas'' (city).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Accardi |first=Salvatore |url=http://www.trapaniinvittissima.it/files/1589_trapani_diventa_citta.pdf |title=Letter from Ximenes Durria |language=Italian}}</ref>

The [[17th century]] was marked by decline, driven by famine-induced uprisings in [[1647]] and [[1670]]–[[1673]], and a severe plague outbreak in [[1624]]. However, in the [[18th century]], the city's population significantly increased, growing from approximately 16,000 to 25,000 inhabitants.

=== From Bourbon Rule to Fascism ===
Following brief periods under the [[House of Savoy]] ([[1713]]) and [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]] rule ([[1720]]), Trapani fell under [[House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies|Bourbon]] dominion starting in the second half of the 18th century, lasting until [[1860]].

In [[1756]], Trapani's stonemasons were commissioned to craft the grand staircase (''scala regia'') of the [[Royal Palace of Caserta]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buscaino |first=Antonio |title=Lumachella di Trapani |url=http://www.processionemisteritp.it/buscaino/lumachella%20di%20trapani.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825194907/http://www.processionemisteritp.it/buscaino/lumachella%20di%20trapani.htm |archive-date=August 25, 2011 |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=processionemisteritp.it}}</ref> During Bourbon rule, several marshlands around Trapani were reclaimed, promoting urban development. Residents actively engaged in the commerce of salt and [[tuna]] fishing (''tonnare''). Trapani participated energetically in the [[Sicilian revolution of 1848|Sicilian revolts]] of [[1848]]–[[1849]], which were violently suppressed. In [[1861]], Trapani voted in favor of joining the newly established [[Kingdom of Italy]].

After [[World War I]], during which approximately 700 inhabitants of Trapani lost their lives, the city experienced a period of significant growth. Industries related to salt extraction, tuna fishing, [[wine]], and [[olive oil]] production made Trapani a dynamic city, economically and culturally. In [[1924]], following a visit, [[Benito Mussolini]] appointed [[Cesare Mori]] as prefect of Trapani. After a little more than a year, Mori was transferred to [[Palermo]] and granted extraordinary powers to suppress [[Sicilian Mafia|Mafia]] activity.

During [[World War II]], Trapani became strategically important as a harbor and submarine base. Its airfields at Milo and Chinisia served as critical logistical hubs for [[Axis powers|Axis troops]] in North Africa. The city endured extensive bombardments, beginning with [[France|French]] attacks on June 22, [[1940]], followed by [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] raids on November 10, [[1941]], and May 31, [[1942]], as well as 27 subsequent [[United Kingdom|Anglo]]-[[United States|American]] bombings from January to July [[1943]]. These air raids severely damaged Trapani, destroying its historic San Pietro neighborhood entirely and placing the city ninth among Italy’s most heavily bombed provincial capitals. On July 22, [[1943]], [[George S. Patton|General Patton]]'s Allied forces entered Trapani, encountering a severely devastated city.

=== Contemporary Era ===
In the [[1946 Italian institutional referendum|1946 referendum]], the Province of Trapani was the only one in Sicily to vote predominantly in favor of the [[Republic of Italy|Republic]], although the city itself expressed a [[Monarchism|monarchist]] preference. Between [[1950]] and [[1965]], Trapani gradually revived its industrial and commercial activities, yet it never fully recovered from the post-war crisis, retreating instead into a service-oriented economy and administrative functions associated with its provincial capital status. [[1968 Belice earthquake|The Belice Valley earthquake]] in January [[1968]] caused death and destruction in Trapani as well. The city also suffered fatalities in the floods of 1965 and November 5, 1976, the latter resulting in 16 deaths.

Starting in the [[1990s]], Trapani proactively promoted itself as a tourist, historical, cultural, and sporting destination. This transformation involved restoring the historic city center, developing new urban infrastructure, expanding hospitality and entertainment sectors, and emphasizing its significant historic, architectural, and natural heritage.

In recent years, Trapani has gained international prominence by hosting major cultural exhibitions featuring artists such as [[Caravaggio]], [[Leonardo da Vinci]], and [[Michelangelo]] (the [[Crucifix (Michelangelo)|rediscovered Crucifix]]), and notable sporting events, including stages of the prestigious [[Louis Vuitton Cup]].[[File:Museo pepoli.jpg|thumb|left|Cloister of the [[Museo regionale Agostino Pepoli|''Museum Pepoli'']].]]

==Geography==
{{See also|List of mayors of Trapani}}
The ''comune'' of Trapani consists of two discontiguous parts separated by the ''comune'' of [[Paceco]]. The northern part includes much of the city and some rural area; the much larger southern part includes the area of Marausa, half of [[Vincenzo Florio Airport Trapani-Birgi|Trapani-Birgi Airport]] and a large rural area. The ''comune'' does not include the north-eastern suburbs of the urban area, such as Casa Santa, which are part of the ''comune'' of [[Erice]]. The ''comune'' of Trapani has a population of 70,000 but the entire urban, including those parts in the ''comune'' of Erice, has over 90,000 residents.

==Economy==
Much of Trapani's economy still depends on the sea and fishing and canning are the main local industries. Coral is also an important export, along with salt, [[marble]], and [[marsala wine]]. The nearby coast is lined with numerous saltworks formed by the evaporation of seawater situated majestically along the coast road between Trapani and Marsala.

The city is also an important ferry port, with links to the Egadi Islands, [[Pantelleria]], Sardinia, France<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Sicilia-Provenza via mare|trans-title=Sicily - Provence by sea|url=http://www.inprovenza.it/lifestyle/istruzioni-per-l-uso/sicilia-provenza-via-mare|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=25 January 2021|website=InProvenza.it|language=italian}}</ref> and [[Tunisia]]. It also has its own airport, the [[Trapani-Birgi Airport]].

=== Fishing ===
Trapani is one of the traditional locations of the ''[[mattanza]]'' [[tuna]] fishing technique, alongside: (San Giuliano, San Cusumano, Isola di Formica, [[Favignana]], Bonagia, [[San Vito Lo Capo]], Scopello, Capo Granitola). Today, this technique is forbidden but the fishing port is very active and hosts 142 small and medium fishing boats, for a total of 2805 GRT (gross tonnage).<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=6 July 2014|title=Parlamento Europeo - politiche comunitarie e di coesione - Pesca|trans-title=EU Parliament - community policies on peach|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/note/join/2010/431596/IPOL-PECH_NT(2010)431596_IT.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=|language=Italian}}</ref>

The old fish market, renovated in 1998, is now used for cultural events and a new one, large and modern, more functional to fishing activities has been located near the port. It represents the only market in the Province and its recent restructuring, with European funds, places it at the forefront in the national level both in terms of marketing and product traceability.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Caltagirone |first=Michele |date=16 December 2013 |title=Trapani, nuovo mercato ittico: la soddisfazione dell´organizzazione dei produttori della pesca |language=Italian |trans-title=New fish market in Trapani: satisfactory organization among fish producers |work= |url=http://www.trapaniok.it/3655/Economia-trapani/trapani-nuovo-mercato-ittico-la-soddisfazione-dell-organizzazione-dei-produttori-della-pesca#.YA3_I-hKhhF |access-date=}}</ref>

=== Coral processing ===
Between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries Trapani fishermen began to practice coral fishing, and coral craftmen started to develop its processing succeeding throughout the Mediterranean.<ref>{{Cite book|last=A.C.I.|first=A.C.I.|title=Atlante cartografico dell'artigianato|publisher=|year=1985|isbn=|volume=3|location=Roma|pages=19}}</ref> A network of prestigious commissions was consolidated throughout Europe and it was thus possible to produce ever richer and more elaborate works.  Today, however, fishing has almost completely disappeared, while coral processing is limited to few craftsmen.<ref>{{Cite book |last=A.C.I.|first=A.C.I. |title=Atlante cartografico dell'artigianato |publisher= |year=1985 |isbn= |volume=3 |location=Roma |pages=19 |language=Italian |trans-title=geographic craft atlas}}</ref>

=== Saltworks ===
Windmills and saltworks are evidence of industrial archeology. Saltworks are located in the area of [[Riserva naturale integrale Saline di Trapani e Paceco|Natural Reserve of Saline di Trapani and Paceco]] managed by the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]] and characterized by a remarkable flora and fauna. Thanks to the protection guaranteed by the Reserve, the activity of the saltworkers and the production of salt have increased, favoring the return and reproduction of dozens of species of migratory birds, including the [[Flamingo|pink flamingo]].
[[File:Trapani - Saline al tramonto.jpg|thumb|]]

==Culture==
[[File:Trapani-PiazzaGaribaldi.JPG|thumb|right|Piazza [[Garibaldi]]]]The old city of Trapani dates from the later medieval or early modern periods; there are no more remains of the ancient city and many of the city's historic buildings are designed in the [[Baroque]] style. 
* The Church of ''Sant'Agostino'' (14th century)
* The Church of ''Santa Maria di Gesù ''(15th–16th centuries)
* [[Basilica-Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Annunziata]] (also called "Madonna di Trapani") originally built in 1315–1332 and rebuilt in 1760. It houses [[Museo regionale Agostino Pepoli]] and a marble statue of the Madonna of Trapani, which might be attributed to the work of [[Nino Pisano]].
* ''Fontana di Tritone'' ("[[Triton (mythology)|Triton's]] Fountain")
* The Baroque ''Palazzo della [[Giudecca or Judeca (Medieval Italy's Jewish quarters)|Giudecca]] '' or ''Casa Ciambra''.
* The cathedral (built in 1421, but restored in the 18th century by Giovanni Biagio Amico). It includes a painting of "''Annunciation''" attributed to [[Anthony van Dyck]].
* Church of ''Maria SS. dell'Intria'', an example of Sicilian Baroque.
* Church of ''Badia Nuova'', a small Baroque church.
* [[Castello di Terra]], a ruined 12th-century castle, today police office.
* [[Ligny Tower]], a 17th-century watchtower housing Phreistory museum.
*[[Museo regionale Agostino Pepoli|Regional Museum Agostino Pepoli]] - Located in the 14th-century Carmelite convent, adjacent to the Sanctuary of Basilica-Sanctuary of Maria Santissima Annunziata, it is one of the most important Sicilian museums. It houses acollection of decorative arts, sculptures (including works by the [[Antonello Gagini|Gagini]]), cribs and coral jewelry, and an art gallery that includes, among others, paintings by [[Titian]] and [[Giacomo Balla]].
*Museum of Prehistory - It is housed inside the seventeenth-century [[Ligny Tower|Torre di Ligny]], on the extreme western point of the city, and preserves important prehistoric evidence of human presence in the area, as well as finds (artifacts, amphorae, anchors, a Punic helmet) from the sea of Trapani.
*Museum of Contemporary Art San Rocco - Housed inside Palazzo San Rocco, in the historic center.<ref>{{Cite web|last=MusMuseum of contemporary art in San Rocco|date=|title=MusMuseo di arte contemporanea "San Rocco"|trans-title=|url=http://www.diocesi.trapani.it/content/view/1981/549/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=24 January 2021|website=|language=italian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Trapani Ok|first=|date=25 November 2014|title=orari di apertura al pubblico del Museo di arte contemporanea San Rocco|language=Italian|trans-title=San Rocco art museum open hours|work=|url=http://www.trapaniok.it/7376/Cultura-trapani/orari-di-apertura-al-pubblico-del-museo-di-arte-contemporanea-san-rocco#.YA4FOehKhhF|access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref>
*DiArt, diocesan collection of permanent religious art, housed in the episcopal seminary of Raganzìli in Casa Santa locality.
*Diocesan Museum, in the Church of Sant'Agostino
*Optical Illusions Museum<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=June 8, 2020|title=Museo delle illusioni a trapani|trans-title=Optical Illusions museum in Trapani|url=https://ufficioturistico.eu/museo-delle-illusioni-a-trapani/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230130359/https://ufficioturistico.eu/museo-delle-illusioni-a-trapani/|archive-date=December 30, 2020|access-date=25 January 2021|website=|language=italian|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*''Specus Corallii'' designed by architect [[Antonino Cardillo]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cardillo |first=Antonino |date=27 August 2016 |title=Specus Corallii |url=https://www.antoninocardillo.com/en/works/specus-corallii/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=www.antoninocardillo.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-26 |title=Coarse pink plaster lends furry look to Antonino Cardillo's Sicilian grotto |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2016/10/26/coarse-pink-plaster-specus-corallii-coral-cave-antonino-cardillo-trapani-sicily/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Dezeen |language=en}}</ref>

==Folklore==
[[File:Trapani Misteri.jpg|thumb|right| More details Easter procession, The Misteri]]

The city is renowned for its Easter related [[Holy Week]] activities and traditions, culminating between [[Good Friday]] and [[Holy Saturday]] in the [[Processione dei Misteri di Trapani]], colloquially simply the ''Misteri di Trapani'' (in English the Procession of the Mysteries of Trapani or the Mysteries of Trapani), a day-long passion procession organized and sponsored by the city's guilds, featuring twenty floats of wood, canvas and glue sculptures, mostly from the 17th and 18th centuries, of individual scenes of the events of the Passion.

The ''Misteri'' are among the oldest continuously running religious events in Europe, having been played every Good Friday since before the Easter of 1612. Running for at least 16 continuous hours, but occasionally well beyond the 24 hours, they are the longest religious festival in Sicily and in Italy. Important also to the cult of the [[Madonna of Trapani]].

The city gives its name to a variety of [[pesto]] – ''[[pesto alla trapanese]]'' – made using [[almond]]s instead of the traditional [[pine nut]]s in Ligurian pesto.

==Transport==

[[Vincenzo Florio Airport Trapani-Birgi|Trapani-Birgi Airport]] is a military-civil joint use airport (third for traffic on the island). Recently the airport has seen an increase of traffic thanks to low-cost carriers from all parts of Europe (i.e. London-Stansted and London-Luton, Paris Beauvais, Dublin, Bruxelles, Munich, Frankfurt, Eindhoven, Stockholm, Malta, Bratislava).

==Sport==
From September 28 to October 9, 2005, Trapani was the location of Acts 8 and 9 of the [[Louis Vuitton Cup]]. This sailing race featured, among other entrants, all the boats that took part in the 2007 [[America's Cup]].

The town is also the base for the local football team [[Trapani Calcio]]. Founded in 1905, they are nicknamed the Granata (the Maroons) after their kit colour. In 2010, [[Trapani Calcio]] was admitted into the [[2010–11 Lega Pro Seconda Divisione]] (formerly Serie C2), ending the club's 13-year absence from the professional ranks. Subsequently, it made debut in [[Serie B]] in the 2013–14 season. It currently plays in [[Serie B]] with the coach [[Fabrizio Castori]].

==Climate==
Trapani has a [[Mediterranean climate#Hot-summer mediterranean climate|hot-summer mediterranean climate]] with hot and dry summers coupled with moderately wet and mild winters. Summer lows are cooler than in other places of Sicily and Calabria, while at the same time remaining significantly warm for several months.

{{Weather box
|location = Trapani, Sicily, 2000-2020, extremes 1991-2020
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 20.4
|Feb record high C = 23.6
|Mar record high C = 29.0
|Apr record high C = 33.4
|May record high C = 39.4
|Jun record high C = 41.8
|Jul record high C = 41.4
|Aug record high C = 44.0
|Sep record high C = 38.0
|Oct record high C = 33.3
|Nov record high C = 27.0
|Dec record high C = 22.6
|year record high C = 
|Jan high C = 15.0
|Feb high C = 15.3
|Mar high C = 16.6
|Apr high C = 19.0
|May high C = 23.1
|Jun high C = 26.7
|Jul high C = 29.7
|Aug high C = 30.1
|Sep high C = 27.7
|Oct high C = 23.7
|Nov high C = 19.4
|Dec high C = 16.2
|year high C = 21.9
|Jan mean C = 11.6
|Feb mean C = 11.7
|Mar mean C = 12.6
|Apr mean C = 14.6
|May mean C = 18.2
|Jun mean C = 21.7
|Jul mean C = 24.6
|Aug mean C = 25.2
|Sep mean C = 23.1
|Oct mean C = 20.0
|Nov mean C = 15.7
|Dec mean C = 12.8
|year mean C = 17.7
|Jan low C = 8.1
|Feb low C = 8.0
|Mar low C = 8.6
|Apr low C = 10.2
|May low C = 13.2
|Jun low C = 16.6
|Jul low C = 19.4
|Aug low C = 20.2
|Sep low C = 18.4
|Oct low C = 15.4
|Nov low C = 12.0
|Dec low C = 9.3
|year low C = 13.3
|Jan record low C = 0.0
|Feb record low C = −0.2
|Mar record low C = 0.2
|Apr record low C = 1.8
|May record low C = 6.0
|Jun record low C = 10.2
|Jul record low C = 13.2
|Aug record low C = 15.0
|Sep record low C = 11.8
|Oct record low C = 6.8
|Nov record low C = 2.4
|Dec record low C = 0.6
|year record low C = 
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 56.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 45.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 44.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 36.9
|May precipitation mm = 16.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 4.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 2.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 8.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 41.6
|Oct precipitation mm = 60.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 64.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 65.0
|year precipitation mm = 448.6
|Jan precipitation days = 8.7
|Feb precipitation days = 8.1
|Mar precipitation days = 7.1
|Apr precipitation days = 5.6
|May precipitation days = 2.5
|Jun precipitation days = 1.0
|Jul precipitation days = 0.4
|Aug precipitation days = 1.1
|Sep precipitation days = 3.4
|Oct precipitation days = 6.6
|Nov precipitation days = 7.2
|Dec precipitation days = 9.8
|year precipitation days = 61.5
|unit precipitation days = 1&nbsp;mm
| Jan humidity    =79.9
| Feb humidity    =78.7
| Mar humidity    =77.7
| Apr humidity    =74.4
| May humidity    =72.0
| Jun humidity    =70.8
| Jul humidity    =71.7
| Aug humidity    =71.3
| Sep humidity    =73.7
| Oct humidity    =76.0
| Nov humidity    =78.4
| Dec humidity    =80.0
| year humidity   =
| Jan dew point C =7.8
| Feb dew point C =7.3
| Mar dew point C =8.5
| Apr dew point C =9.9
| May dew point C =12.9
| Jun dew point C =16.1
| Jul dew point C =19.0
| Aug dew point C =19.8
| Sep dew point C =18.1
| Oct dew point C =15.6
| Nov dew point C =12.0
| Dec dew point C =9.3
|Jan sun = 133.3
|Feb sun = 145.0
|Mar sun = 189.1
|Apr sun = 219.0
|May sun = 226.3
|Jun sun = 306.0
|Jul sun = 347.2
|Aug sun = 319.3
|Sep sun = 255.0
|Oct sun = 210.8
|Nov sun = 159.0
|Dec sun = 127.1
|year sun = 2637.1
|source 1 = [[Servizio Meteorologico]]<ref>{{cite web
 |url = http://clisun.casaccia.enea.it/profili/tabelle/659%20%5BTrapani%5D%20Trapani%20Birgi.Txt
 |title = Tabella climatica mensile e annuale di Trapani Birgi
 |access-date = July 10, 2020
 |publisher = [[ENEA (Italy)|Agenzia nazionale per le nuove tecnologie, l'energia e lo sviluppo economico sostenibile]]
 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|source 2 = [[NOAA]](humidity and extremes 1991-2020, dew point 1981-2010)<ref name=WMOnorm>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Italy/CSV/TrapaniBirgi_16429.csv |title=WMO Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Trapani Birgi |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA|National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration]] |access-date=2 March 2024 |no-pp=y |type=Excel |format=CSV }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-VI/Italy/WMO_Normals_CliNo81-10.xls |title=Trapani Birgi Climate Normals for 1981-2010(WMO number: 16429) |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA|National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration]] |access-date=2 March 2024|type=Excel |format=XLS |quote=Parameter code: 39 - Dew Point Temperature}}</ref>
[[German Meteorological Service]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Record high 2000-2017 |url=https://opendata.dwd.de/climate_environment/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/monthly/qc/air_temperature_absolute_max/historical/16429_199908_201712.txt |publisher=DwD |access-date=4 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Record high 2018-2020 |url=https://opendata.dwd.de/climate_environment/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/monthly/qc/air_temperature_absolute_max/recent/16429_201801_202012.txt |publisher=DwD |access-date=4 February 2021 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210121356/https://opendata.dwd.de/climate_environment/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/monthly/qc/air_temperature_absolute_max/recent/16429_201801_202012.txt |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Record low 2000-2017 |url=https://opendata.dwd.de/climate_environment/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/monthly/qc/air_temperature_absolute_min/historical/16429_199908_201712.txt |publisher=Dwd |access-date=4 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Record low 2018-2020 |url=https://opendata.dwd.de/climate_environment/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/monthly/qc/air_temperature_absolute_min/recent/16429_201801_202012.txt |publisher=DwD |access-date=4 February 2021 |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213015419/https://opendata.dwd.de/climate_environment/CDC/observations_global/CLIMAT/monthly/qc/air_temperature_absolute_min/recent/16429_201801_202012.txt |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Italy}}

===Twin towns and Sister cities===
Trapani is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
* {{flagicon|ROU}} [[Constanța]], Romania
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Les Sables-d'Olonne]], France
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Roquefort-les-Pins]], France
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Würselen]], Germany

==Identification as Ithaca==
[[Samuel Butler (novelist)|Samuel Butler]] claimed, following visits in Trapani, that the city and its neighboring islands is the inspiration for both [[Odysseus]]'s home of [[Homer's Ithaca|Ithaca]] as described in [[Homer]]'s [[Oddysey]], and [[Scheria]], where Odysseus met [[Nausicaa]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Butler |first1=Samuel |title=The Authoress of the Oddysey |date=1987 |publisher=Jonathan Cape |location=London |url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Authoress_of_the_Odyssey/Chapter_8:_Ithaca_and_Scheria_Are_Drawn_From_Trapani |chapter=Chapter VIII: That Ithaca and Scheria are Both of Them Drawn from Trapani and Its Immediate Neighbourhood}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Trapani Mura di Tramontana.jpg|{{center|Mura di Tramontana}}
Image:Passeggiata delle Mura di Tramontana.jpg|{{center|Mura di Tramontana (centro storico)}}
Image:Trapani liceo Ximenes.jpg|{{center|Chiostro dei gesuiti}}
Image:Via Regina Margherita, Trapani.jpg|{{center|Via Regina Margherita}}
Image:Trapani9.JPG|{{center|Palazzo Cavarretta in Via Torrearsa}}
Image:Trapani01.jpg|{{center|Chiesa di San Liberale}}
Image:Trapani145.jpg|{{center|Palazzo della Giudecca}}
Image:Tp-villa-margherita.jpg|{{center|Villa Margherita}}
Image:Trapani 3040393.jpg
Image:Trapani675.jpg
Image:Le saline di Trapani - Il Mulino by Davide Restivo.jpg|{{center|Windmill of the Salina}}
Image:000-Trapani fontana.jpg
Image:Statua_di_Garibaldi_a_Trapani.jpg
Image:Our Lady of Trapani BW 2012-10-10 12-01-23 cropped.jpg|{{center|Our Lady of Trapani, the patroness of the town. Crowned in 1734 with a papal decree [[Pope Clement XII]]}}
</gallery>

==See also==

* [[Battle of Drepana]]
* [[Drepana]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Trapani#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Trapani}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Commons category|Trapani}}
* [http://www.regione.sicilia.it/beniculturali/dirbenicult/musei/musei2/engpepoli.htm Museum Agostino Pepoli] {{in lang|en}}
* [http://pti.regione.sicilia.it/portal/page/portal/SIT_PORTALE/SIT_EnglishVersion/Itineraries2/Arts%20and%20traditions/Le%20tonnare Tuna fisheries] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820200110/http://pti.regione.sicilia.it/portal/page/portal/SIT_PORTALE/SIT_EnglishVersion/Itineraries2/Arts%20and%20traditions/Le%20tonnare |date=August 20, 2016 }}
*[http://pti.regione.sicilia.it/portal/page/portal/SIT_PORTALE/SIT_EnglishVersion/Itineraries2/Arts%20and%20traditions/via%20del%20sale Salt route] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200644/http://pti.regione.sicilia.it/portal/page/portal/SIT_PORTALE/SIT_EnglishVersion/Itineraries2/Arts%20and%20traditions/via%20del%20sale |date=March 4, 2016 }}
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Trapani|short=x}}

{{Province of Trapani}}{{Phoenician cities and colonies|state=collapsed}}{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Trapani| ]]
[[Category:Coastal towns in Sicily]]
[[Category:Municipalities of the Province of Trapani]]
[[Category:Sicilian Baroque]]
[[Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Italy]]
[[Category:Phoenician colonies in Sicily]]
[[Category:Carthaginian colonies]]
[[Category:Agrotowns]]