Termini Imerese

As the last town in the province of Palermo before entering the province of Messina, Termini Imerese is an important commercial port and position along the coast, connecting Sicily to mainland Italy with regular ferries to the port of Civitavecchia near Rome. It captures the spirit of both provinces, with a stunning coastline dotted with several gracious palaces and churches.

The city gets its name from its terme (the natural hot springs), which have drawn visitors to the area since Roman times. Termini was also an essential part of the export of grains and wheat during the Roman empire, a history reflected in its many monuments and infrastructure. Its interesting Roman remains include the Temple of Victory at Himera, the Cornelius aqueduct—the largest and best preserved in Sicily—and a crumbling amphitheater that now sit amid a modern urban setting.