Segesta Archaeological Park

The importance and the role played by Segesta in the ancient Mediterranean is documented by its diplomatic relations withcities such as Athens and Carthage, with whom it made agreements to face the expansionist aims of Selinunte.
However, in 409 B.C. the city was conquered by the Carthaginians and the failure to complete the Doric Temple was probably due to this episode

In 307 B.C. the city was destroyed by the Syracusan tyrant Agathocles andrefounded with the name of Diceopoli. During the First Punic War,
rehabilitated the ancient name, the community sided with Rome and by virtue of their common Trojan descent, it obtained exemption from taxes.
Segesta took on a scenic layout similar to that of the great cities of Minor Asia.

At the turn of the 1st century B.C. and the following century, the defensive sector in the area of Porta di Valle fell into disuse and an oil mill was built on its ruins.
The defences receded, and the northern and western sectors were secured by walls by means of boundary walls ending with the fortified entrances of Porta Theatre and Porta Bastione. The northern acropolis is an area filled with  history, close to the terrace of the agora there is the city's bouleuterion.
It is possible to date the theatre to the 2nd century B.C.: in addition of being in a very scenic spot, the western side  incorporates a cave that is the site of a sacred spring which
was the centre of special cults in prehistoric times. 

The building could accommodate up to 4000 people.  
Life on this site continued even after the Vandal raids.
In the 13th century, a palace was built in this area close to the  neighbouring castle, near the theatre. During this period there was the presence of Arab people.

Always in the 13th century also saw the construction of the 'castle', a fortified dwelling
with a courtyard at the top of the acropolis, which was, however, occupied by Christian, the evidence of Arab elements seems to have ceased

Also between the 12th and 13th centuries, a functional basilica was built and a Christian cemetery were also built in the neighborhoodreusing previous dwellings related to the Arab presence.

In 1442, the Christian community of Calatafimi financed the construction of the single-nave rural chapel of San Leone, built on the ruins of the previous basilica and abandoned just three centuries later.