Civic Museum “Torre di Ligny”: An Immersion into the Maritime History of Trapani

The Civic Museum “Torre di Ligny” in Trapani is a truly unique cultural landmark, combining a remarkable historic setting with an evocative collection dedicated to the history of the sea. Housed within an ancient watchtower, the museum offers visitors a fascinating journey through time, exploring the deep connection between Trapani and the Mediterranean that has shaped the city’s identity for centuries.

A Sentinel Over the Sea

The Torre di Ligny was built in 1671 by order of the Prince of Ligny, Captain General of the Coasts of the Kingdom of Sicily, to defend the city from Barbary pirate incursions.

Its position is nothing short of spectacular — standing on a rocky promontory at the westernmost point of Trapani, where the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea meet those of the Sicilian Channel.

With its square layout and sloping walls, the tower served for centuries as a defensive outpost and maritime watchpoint. After an extensive restoration, this historical bastion has been transformed into a museum of archaeology and maritime heritage, allowing visitors to explore its thick walls, barrel vaults, and breathtaking vantage points over the sea.

Collections: Between Archaeology and Marine Life

The museum’s exhibition unfolds over two levels, offering an insightful overview of the region’s long-standing relationship with the sea and its ancient past.

Maritime and Underwater Archaeology

The first section features a fascinating array of artifacts recovered from the seabeds surrounding Trapani, evidence of the vibrant maritime trade that thrived here for millennia.

Among the highlights:

• Greek, Roman, and Byzantine amphorae once used to transport wine, oil, and other goods;
• Lead anchor rings, ceramics, and everyday objects recovered from shipwrecks;
• Items that help reconstruct ancient trade routes and stories of lost vessels

Prehistoric Section

The museum also houses terrestrial finds tracing the earliest human presence along the coast, dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period.

Visitors can admire flint and obsidian tools, early pottery fragments, and utensils that reveal how the region’s first communities lived, hunted, and traded.

The Tower Experience

Beyond its collections, visiting the Torre di Ligny is an immersive architectural experience in itself.

Visitors can climb to the top terrace, where an unforgettable panoramic view stretches across the harbor, the city, the salt flats, and the nearby Egadi Islands.

From this vantage point, one can fully grasp the strategic importance of Trapani throughout history — a city perpetually intertwined with the sea.

Visitor Information

📍 Address: Viale Torre di Ligny, Trapani (TP)

📞 Phone: +39 0923 22200

🕒 Opening Hours:

Hours may vary depending on the season. The museum is generally open daily. It is recommended to check the official website of the Municipality of Trapani for the most up-to-date information.

🎟️ Tickets:

• Full price: €3.00
• Reduced: €1.50 (students, over 65s, etc.)
• Free admission: for children under 10

The Torre di Ligny Museum invites every visitor to discover Trapani’s story from its most extreme point — a place where sea and history converge.

With its unique blend of heritage, landscape, and maritime spirit, this museum is an essential stop for anyone wishing to understand the deep bond between Trapani and its sea, in a setting of rare scenic beauty.

Cover photo credits: Leandro Neumann Ciuffo, licensed by CC BY 2.0