Museo civico Torre di Ligny

About the museum

The Torre di Ligny was built in 1671 at the wish of Claude Lamoral, Prince of Ligne and captain general of the Kingdom of Sicily, during Spanish rule. It served to defend Trapani from raids by Barbary corsairs. A passage links it to the mainland and has been usable since 1806; the cannons remained on the roof until 1861, and during the Second World War the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) installed an anti-aircraft post there. It was restored in 1979.

The building houses the civic museum, founded as the Museo della preistoria e del mare and arranged by Professor Francesco Torre. On the ground floor are prehistoric and protohistoric finds from the province of Trapani; the first floor holds the section of marine archaeology, with over a hundred objects recovered from the Mediterranean seabed, including amphorae, anchors, anchor stocks and everyday objects from the Greek, Roman and Punic periods. Among the best-known pieces is a bronze helmet recovered off Trapani.

The tower, in a panoramic position at the tip of the peninsula, also offers a 360-degree view of the sea. The museum is run by the Biblioteca Fardelliana.

Highlights

• Defensive tower of 1671 on the tip of the Trapani peninsula
• Prehistoric and protohistoric collection from the province of Trapani
• Marine archaeology section with amphorae, anchors and anchor stocks
• Bronze helmet recovered off Trapani
• 360-degree panorama over the sea

Permanent exhibitions

• Collezione preistorica e protostorica – Finds from the province of Trapani displayed on the ground floor of the tower.
• Archeologia marina – Over a hundred objects recovered from the Mediterranean seabed, such as amphorae, anchors and everyday objects of the Greek, Roman and Punic periods.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Comune di Trapani (gestione Biblioteca Fardelliana)

Admission & discounts

Admission is charged; prices are not published on the pages consulted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

No information on accessibility is available.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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