The Mother Church of Erice, dedicated to Our Lady of Custonaci, is one of the village’s most fascinating monuments, situated in a picturesque spot right next to the ancient Elymian-Punic walls.

Built in the first half of the 14th century at the behest of King Frederick III of Aragon, the church was constructed during a period marked by the War of the Vespers, when the king found refuge in Erice itself.

The exterior still retains its original Gothic character, evident in the structure’s simple, slender lines. The square bell tower, slightly older than the church, was originally built as a watchtower and is distinguished by the elegant mullioned windows that lighten its mass. It was later incorporated into the religious complex, becoming one of its most characteristic features.

Over time, several elements were added: the pronaos with pointed arches, dating from around a century after the church’s construction, and the rose window, which is of more recent origin. On the right-hand wall of the building there are nine stone crosses which, according to tradition, are said to come from the ancient temple of Venus, bearing witness to the link between the site’s pagan past and its subsequent Christianisation.

The interior, whilst retaining the three-nave plan and the four side chapels, has been profoundly altered by the restoration work undertaken after 1856, which has partly altered the original 14th-century appearance. Of the ancient structure, the two rows of columns supporting pointed arches remain, elements that preserve the charm of Gothic architecture intact.

The Mother Church of Erice thus represents a place where different eras converge: from medieval influences to traces of an even more distant past, offering visitors an experience rich in history and spirituality in the heart of one of Sicily’s most charming villages.