Guide of Termini Imerese

Termini Imerese is in Sicily and is very interesting from a historical point of view because of the ancient and prehistoric archaeological findings located there as well as the town's ancient carnival which is still celebrated today.

History

The centre of Termini Imerese has been inhabited since prehistoric times, due to the presence of caves where boats could be easily repaired.  The town was founded in approximately 400 BC and was originally called Thermai Himeraìai, due to the presence of hot water springs.

The fall of the Roman Empire led to a slow decline of the town, which in the 12th century became home to the archbishop. Then the Normans turned Termini Imerese into a royal city and during the medieval period, it was one of the major ports that grain and other foodstuffs were exported from. This made the city wealthy and was considered a major port in the Mediterranean.

Places to visit

Take a dive into the past and visit one of the many archaeological sites, there are the remains of a Roman amphitheatre located inside the Villa Palmieri Park. There are also remains of a Roman aqueduct featuring a beautiful double row of arches. In the city centre, there is the main cathedral that was built in the fifteenth century and then rebuilt in the Baroque, it is dedicated to San Nicola di Bari.

The Civic Museum is housed in a fourteenth-century hospital and has many archaeological findings such as ancient lion heads that date back to ancient times alongside Flemish works of art.

Beaches around Termini Imerese

A short distance from the port there is a city beach that is easily reachable on foot an has many amenities. Pietra Piatta is another beach close to the city and has sand and pebbles, it satisfies all tastes with crystalline sea and beautiful rocks.