Erice Bell Tower And Cathedral Editorial Image

It was built, in the early 13th century approximately 1314 on a pre-existing chapel dedicated to Vergine Assunta Lady of the Assumption, by Frederic III of Aragon who resided in Erice for a short period, during the Vespers War. After several restorations, additions and modifications over the centuries, it was radically renovated in the second half of the nineteenth century, assuming its current neo-Gothic appearance, by the Neapolitan architect Dominici between 1852 and 1862. As regards the original construction remain: the plan with three naves, the columns which support ogival arches, the four 16th century chapels.Next to the church stands the high bell tower 28 meters, built as a watchtower at the time of the Vespers War, around the end of the 13th century, then transformed into bell tower. It has a square base 8 meters on the side and it is spread over three floors, each occupied by a hall with a barrel vault. Mono on the first floor and bi-hole Gothic “chiaromontano” style windows open on them; it was also used as a prison of the Ecclesiastical Court. A staircase with 113 steps leads up to the top.