The Greek archaeological site of Selinunte

Selinunte is located on the south west coast of Sicily, not far from Mazara del Vallo. Selinunte sits on a high plain and overlooks the sea. It is surrounded, on both side, by golden beaches.

Selinunte is one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in the whole of the Mediterranean. It has an area of 250 hectares and a path that extends about 4 km through the monumental ruins of great beauty and charm. The archaeological park of Selinunte is the largest in Europe and includes the temples of the eastern hill, denoted as E, F and G (the latter being intact) the area of Torre Manuzza and the acropolis which is still partly surrounded by walls and the ruins of five sacred buildings and what used to be other public buildings of the time.

Selinunte was one of the most eminent cities in Magna Graecia. Selinunte was founded at the end of the sixth century BC. It was the most western Greek colony of Sicily. In 409 BC Selinunte became a large expanse of rubble for an attack from the Carthaginians. The Carthaginians sent about 100,000 men to lay siege to the town, which was only able to hold out for nine days. The subsequent looting involved the massacre of about 16,000 of the town’s inhabitants while most of the remaining citizens were turned into slaves.