The ancient Greek metropolis of Selinunte was built in the 7th century BC on a promontory overlooking the sea, and over two and a half centuries became one of the world's richest and most powerful cities. Destroyed by the Carthaginians in 409 BC, it finally fell to the Romans around 250 BC, after which it rapidly declined. Today's sprawling archaeological site is divided into four main zones: the eastern temples, the acropolis, the ancient city and the Sanctuary of Malophoros.
Parco Archeologico di Selinunte
Top choice in Western Sicily
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
15.78 MILES
Midway between the ancient ruins of Selinunte (38km south) and Segesta (45km north) lies this extraordinary modern marvel – a disconcerting, lunar-like…
0.58 MILES
The Acropolis, the heart of Selinunte's political and social life, occupies a slanted plateau overlooking the now-silted-up Gorgo di Cottone. Huddled in…
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27.18 MILES
The southernmost of the region's two salt museums is housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century windmill opposite the Mozia boat dock, 10km north of…
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27.97 MILES
Located on the tiny island of San Pantaleo, ancient Mozia (also known as Motya or Mothia) was one of the Mediterranean's most important Phoenician…
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14.32 MILES
The jewel in Mazara's crown, this museum revolves around its central exhibit, a bronze statue known as the Satiro danzante (Dancing Satyr), hauled from…
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0.12 MILES
The eastern temples are the most stunning of all Selinunte's ruins, crowned by the majestic Temple E. Built in the 5th century BC and reconstructed in…
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24.54 MILES
Crowning the summit of Monte Bàrbaro, this 3rd-century BC Greek theatre is Segesta’s most prominent ruin after its famous Doric temple. The theatre…
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24.56 MILES
Segesta's centrepiece is its remarkably well-preserved Doric temple, dating from around 430 BC. Standing in splendid isolation amid fields of wildflowers…
Nearby Western Sicily attractions
0.1 MILES
Built in the 5th century BC and reconstructed in 1958, the majestic Temple E stands out among Selinunte's eastern group due to its completeness. As you…
0.12 MILES
The eastern temples are the most stunning of all Selinunte's ruins, crowned by the majestic Temple E. Built in the 5th century BC and reconstructed in…
0.14 MILES
Now reduced to a massive pile of rubble, Temple F is one of Selinunte's three eastern temples.
0.2 MILES
The northernmost of Selinunte's eastern temples, Temple G was built in the 6th century BC and, although never completed, was one of the largest temples in…
0.34 MILES
No visit to Selinunte is complete without a walk along this attractive stretch of beach below the archaeological site, which affords marvellous views back…
0.57 MILES
Up on Selinunte's Acropolis, this smaller temple dates from the Hellenistic period and could have been dedicated to the Agrigentan physiologist and…
0.58 MILES
The Acropolis, the heart of Selinunte's political and social life, occupies a slanted plateau overlooking the now-silted-up Gorgo di Cottone. Huddled in…
0.59 MILES
Virtually the symbol of Selinunte, Temple C is the oldest temple on the site, built in the middle of the 6th century BC. The stunning metopes found by…