Museo preistorico, Paceco

The Museum is located in the Tower of Ligny, built in 1671 by order of the viceroy Don Claudio La Moraldo, prince of Ligny. Here prehistoric and protohistoric finds are exhibited. It is divided into two sections:

– the prehistoric one on the ground floor presents finds found in the province of Trapani

– the marine archaeological one on the first floor, where more than 100 objects from the Mediterranean seabed are exhibited: amphorae, anchors, utensils from Greek, Roman and Punic times.

One of the most important archaeological finds is a bronze Helmet recovered from the seabed of Trapani. The displayed helmet is of the dome type with a nozzle tip and features a small visor continuing from the dome as in the helmets currently issued to the armed forces. Laterally it has two slits, one on each side, with the left one very narrow, while the right one is round and wide and would suggest a blow received by its owner. On the sides, inside at the bottom, there are two plates that were presumably used for attaching the chin straps. The helmet measures 24 cm in height, has a circumference of 70 cm, while the internal diameter is 22 cm in length and 20 cm in width. The nozzle tip has an internal hole with a diameter of 2 cm and externally features double arch engravings. Before the restoration work, almost half of the surface was covered by encrustations of reef animals. The Helmet is dated IV – III century B.C.

It is possible to access the tower’s terrace, from which you can enjoy the splendid panorama that ranges from Capo San Vito to Marsala and Mozia including the city of Trapani, Mount Erice, and the Egadi islands.