Page 110 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

108  SICIL Y AREA B Y AREA

d Selinunte

The ruins of Selinunte, overlooking the sea, are
among the most striking archaeological sites in
the Medi terranean and a supreme example of the
fusion of Phoenician and Greek culture. Founded
in the 7th century BC by colonists from Megara
Hyblaea, Selinunte soon became a powerful city
with flourishing trade and artistic activity. A rival
to Segesta and Mozia, Selinunte was destroyed by
Carthage in 409 BC and largely forgotten. Excavations
(still under way in the oldest parts of the ruins) have
brought to light eight temples with colossal Doric
columns, as well as a fortification system. . Temple C (580–550 BC)
Decorated with metopes now
kept in Palermo, this was the
largest and oldest temple on
the Acropolis, possibly dedicated
to Heracles or Apollo.

Sanctuary of
Malophoros
Ruins of
ancient city

. Acropolis
This was the hub of public life.
It centred around two main
streets that divided it into four
quarters protected by a wall
1,260 m (4,132 ft) long.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp202–3 and pp211–13

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