Temple C on the acropolis is the oldest temple at the site, dating to the mid-6th century BC.
The city was famously destroyed by Carthaginian forces in 409 BC, an event documented by historian Diodorus Siculus.
The park contains the Cave di Cusa, the original limestone quarries located 13 kilometers away where blocks for the temples were extracted.
The metopes found at Temple E are housed in the Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum in Palermo.
Selinunte was the westernmost Greek colony in Sicily, serving as a critical frontier outpost.
The city's name derives from the Greek word 'selinon', referring to the wild celery that grew abundantly in the nearby river valleys.
Recent geophysical surveys have identified large unexcavated areas of the ancient urban plan beneath the modern soil surface.
The acropolis is connected to the eastern hill by a shallow valley that once housed the city's agora.
Selinunte Archaeological Park is one of the largest archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, encompassing the ruins of an ancient Greek city-state founded in the 7th century BC. The site is divided into distinct zones, including an acropolis overlooking the sea, an eastern hill featuring monumental temples, and a residential quarter. Temple E, reconstructed in 1958, is a prominent feature of the eastern complex. The site includes the remains of an ancient harbor and multiple necropolises located outside the city walls. Visitors can explore the remnants of the urban grid, residential houses, and fortification systems that defined the city's strategic layout. The park's terrain is expansive, stretching along the coastline of southwestern Sicily. Excavations have been ongoing since the 19th century, revealing significant pottery, sculptures, and architectural fragments. The site provides physical evidence of the historical conflict between the Greeks and the Carthaginians.
The elevated view of Temple E framed against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes to navigate the uneven, rocky, and dusty terrain.
Carry significantly more water than you expect to need, as there is very little natural shade across the main temple areas.
Use the electric shuttles provided on-site to traverse the large distances between the Acropolis and the Eastern Hill.
Do not attempt to walk the entire perimeter on foot during mid-day in summer, as the heat and distance lead to rapid exhaustion.
Open daily throughout the year, though shuttle services may be reduced during winter months.
Avoid climbing or sitting on ancient structural elements, columns, or architectural ruins.
