Cordici Museum

The museum was founded in 1876 to preserve the archaeological and artistic heritage of Erice and its surrounding territory. It is named after Antonio Cordici (1592–1677), the Erice priest, historian and antiquarian whose writings and collections laid the foundations for the study of the town's history. Originally housed in the Town Hall, the museum has occupied several buildings before finding its present home in the former Convent of the Third Order of Saint Francis.

The collections reflect the long history of Erice, from prehistoric and Elymian archaeology to medieval sculpture, Renaissance art and later civic history. Among the most significant exhibits are artefacts from the ancient sanctuary of Venus Erycina, Renaissance sculptures by Antonello Gagini and his workshop, historic liturgical objects, weapons, ceramics and paintings that illustrate the artistic and cultural development of western Sicily over many centuries.

In recent years the museum has undergone extensive refurbishment, introducing new exhibition spaces and multimedia displays while preserving its historic character. Alongside its permanent collections, it also houses an auditorium that hosts concerts, lectures and cultural events throughout the year.