Set on the edge of a deep canyon in the midst of wild, desolate mountains, the 5th-century BC ruins of Segesta are a magical site. On windy days the 36 giant columns of its magnificent temple are said to act like an organ, producing mysterious notes.
The city, founded by the ancient Elymians, was in constant conflict with Selinunte in the south, whose destruction it sought with dogged determination and singular success. Time, however, has done to Segesta what violence inflicted on Selinunte; little remains now, save the theatre and the never-completed Doric temple , the latter dating from around 430 BC and remarkably well preserved. A shuttle bus (€1.50) runs every 30 minutes from the temple entrance 1.5km uphill to the theatre.
