The Church of San Giuliano is one of the oldest and most significant places of worship in Erice, closely linked to the history and identity of the village. Dedicated to Saint Julian, who was martyred in 254 AD, it was so important that for centuries the mountain on which the town stood took the saint’s name, until 1934.

According to tradition, its foundation was commissioned by Roger I of Altavilla, as a token of gratitude for the help received in battle. However, more recent studies trace the church’s origins back to the early centuries of Christianity, making it one of the oldest sacred buildings in the Erice area. The current structure is the result of a reconstruction carried out between 1612 and 1615, when the building was enlarged and transformed into a three-nave church, more imposing and better suited to the needs of the community.

In 1770, the distinctive bell tower was built, recognisable by its unique pagoda-style profile, which remains one of the most distinctive features of Erice’s townscape to this day. In the centuries that followed, the church underwent further alterations, including the raising of the central vault and the construction of a new dome decorated with exquisite stucco work.

In 1927, following the collapse of the central nave’s vault, the church was closed for worship and remained unused for decades. It was only after a long and complex restoration, lasting almost eighty years, that it was finally reopened on 26 December 2005, restoring one of the community’s most important symbols to the public.

The interior houses artistic and devotional artefacts of great value. Among these, the sculptural groups of the ‘Mysteries’ stand out: extraordinary multi-material sculptures created by Trapani masters in the 18th century, depicting episodes from the Passion of Christ and carried in procession on Good Friday. The sacristy also houses the precious ‘Repositorio’, a masterpiece of Rococo silverwork created by the German silversmith Wolfgang Huebner.

In addition to its religious function, the Church of San Giuliano has also played a civic role for centuries: in medieval times, the population would gather beneath its arches to discuss and make important decisions for the community. Even today, situated on high ground overlooking the town centre, it dominates the square of the same name and stands as an essential landmark for visitors to Erice, where history, faith and tradition continue to intertwine.