Ligny Tower Museum

The Ligny Tower preserves a collection of archaeological findings linked with the area.

The tower is a symbolic monument which plainly shows the historical and cultural development of Trapani and of this side of the Mediterranean Sea. From its terrace you can admire an enchanting landscape.

Built in 1671, Torre di Ligny has a structure both strong and refined. It has a pyramidal trunk shape on a base made up of big calcareous blocks probably stolen from the same rocks on which it stands. Unlike the others towers along the coast it is particularly refined since it was built after the order of Claudio La Moraldo, the Prince of Lygny who had been asked by queen Marianna of Spain to make stronger the military control on the area. The tower, in fact, was part of a bigger defence project which included the Colombaia and the whole defence walls of Trapani. It was armed with heavy guns and provided with head lamps meant for defence and flash signaling. Until 1862 it was a military site then it was used as a signal station and during the 2nd world war it was used as an anti-aircraft station. Nowadays it preserves a collection of amphoras founded mainly under the water of our seas; several are from the Punic age, others from the  Greak-Sicilian tradition or  from the Roman one, gathering a period between the IV c. B.C. and the VIII A.D.. They were used to contain cereals, wine, oil, salted fish and olives and show the big commercial and economic importance of this area which linked naval routes between East and West. This little museum preserves even a stone bathometer, founded under the Aegadi's sea, that is esteemed one of the most powerful  ancient navigation's instruments. Three bronze helmets are showed inside the tower. Even these founded under the sea and used by Romans during the Punic wars. They are Montefortino's helmets that means they are simple and furnished with protection that could be decorated with feathers. Another finding is the ancient bronze rostrum aged 241 B.C. a powerful war instrument which was used for piercing the enemy ships making them sink.