High up on a hill above the ancient town of Segesta is the Greek Temple of Segesta. It is a wonderfully preserved Greek temple with all 36 of its original Doric columns still standing.
Although known as a Greek temple, the structure was built between 430 B.C. and 420 B.C. by an ancient Sardinian race known as the Elymians. The sanctuary is approximately 200 feet (61 meters) long and 85 feet (26 meters) and may have been dedicated to a deity or cult.
As you walk around the temple and study its features, observe there is no roof. This is the cause of some debate among scholars as to the reasons for this. Some say this was a deliberate part of the design, others that it was never built because of disruptions caused by an attack on the town. Look closely at the columns and you will see they haven’t been fluted. That is, there are no vertical grooves that you would normally expect to see on such pillars.
After you have looked over the temple, walk or take the shuttle bus up to the top of nearby Monte Barbaro. Here you will find an open-air amphitheater that was built around the same time as the temple. During the summer, come here to watch plays and concerts. Walk to the top of the audience stand for stunning views of the hilly countryside and the blue Mediterranean Sea far below you.
The temple and amphitheater are part of the Archeological Park Segesta. The site is located just under 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Palermo and about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Trapani. If you are coming by public transport from Trapani, use the Tarantola Bus Service from Trapani. There are several departures during the day from the autostazione Piazza Ciaccio and they stop at the archeological park. The Greek Temple of Segesta is open every day.
