Editing Erice (section)

=== Medieval Period ===
The modern settlement of Erice began in the Norman period, following centuries of silence in historical sources. Revived by the Norman kingdom’s African policy, the city regained strategic importance, and the mountain once again served as a defensive stronghold overlooking the [[Strait of Sicily]]. During the medieval period, the city became known as Monte San Giuliano.<ref name="Tusa2017" />

The 12th-century traveller Ibn Giubayr described the site as having abundant springs, cultivated fields and vineyards on the mountain, and a fortress accessible by a bridge. Monte San Giuliano held an intermediate status in the medieval territorial hierarchy, positioned between a ''civitas'' and a ''casale'', and was classified as a ''terra'' (land).<ref name="Tusa2017" />

During this period, the city began to take on its present-day character and layout. The Norman fortress, now called the Castle of Venus, was built to strengthen Erice’s strategic position. Several important buildings also date from this time, including the [[Chiesa Matrice, Erice|Chiesa Matrice]] (Mother Church) and the Palazzo Municipale (formerly the Palazzo Giuratorio), which replaced the earlier town hall at the Balio Towers—a structure that had also served as a fortified gateway to the castle. The city developed around three main hubs, connected by the “Royal Road” (now Via Albertina degli Abati) and the “Great Road” (now Via Vittorio Emanuele II). Wealthy and noble families expanded their estates by combining neighbouring properties.<ref name="Tusa2017" />

Additional palaces constructed during or after the late medieval period include:
* '''Palazzo Ventimiglia''' (later the Convent of San Francesco), Via San Francesco, 14th century
* '''Palazzo Platamone''', Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 14th–19th century
* '''Palazzo Chiaramonte''' (later the Convent of San Domenico), Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 14th century

As Christianity spread, former pagan sites were turned into churches and convents. Churches built during this time include the Church of San Martino (''Chiesa San Martino'') on Via Pietro Salerno, the Church of San Giuliano (''Chiesa di San Giuliano'') on Via Roma, and the Church of San Giovanni Battista (''Chiesa San Giovanni'') on Via San Giovanni. In 1494, under orders from [[Ferdinand the Catholic]], the city expelled its large Jewish community.<ref name="Tusa2017" />

As Erice entered the early modern period, its population grew from 7,657 in 1584 to around 12,000 by the late 1600s. At its height, the city controlled much of the surrounding countryside in what is now the province of Trapani. This was Erice’s most prosperous period, and many of the palaces and churches built at the time still stand today. The streets were paved with decorative patterns using small stones—a feature that remains a distinctive part of Erice today.<ref name="Tusa2017" />