I had booked a two-bedroom apartment at the Badia Nuova Residence, on Via Badia Nuova, right in the heart of the historical center of town.  The apartment was on the top floor of the charming hotel, and so the views from our windows were lovely, to say the least.  In addition to the small terraces that came with the room, there was also a lounge area for guests of the hotel, set up on the street, in front of the place.Trapani is a city of approximately 68,300 inhabitants.  Nicknamed “The City of Salt and Sails,” Trapani is surrounded by the sea, and by salt marshes.  Like a lot of Sicily, Tranapi has been ruled by many different people over the course of the centuries.  From the Romans, to the Byzantines and the Arabs, and Normans — all have left their mark on this lovely city.  The Chiesa del Collegio dei Gesuiti is a lovely church, set at the beginning of Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main shopping street of Trapani.  The Duomo of Trapani, or the Basilica di San Lorenzo Martiri, is about a block further down, on Corso Vittorio Emanuele.  From its beautifully carved door, to the vast interior — this church warrants a visit.The Chiesa del Purgatorio is best known for housing statue groups depicting the Mysteries of Christ.  These are powerful, beautifully constructed pieces of art, arranged along the sides of the church, which tell the story of the passion of Christ.  This is, in my opinion, a MUST SEE, when in Trapani.

Next up: a trip to the hilltop town of Erice!

Note: this blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations which may appear.