According to legend it takes its name from the nymph Egesta who welcomed Enea escaping Troy after its destruction. Segesta'fame, being the most important town of Elimi, is linked to the great Doric temple dated III rd century B.C., and which has been splendidly preserved, and also to the magnificent theatre which is situated on the top of the nearby hill, with its beautiful panoramic view of the valley below, a few kilometres from Catellammare Del Golfo.
Recent excavations have also discovered interesting ruins of successive ages. So, a part the ruins of the old town, a castle, a wall and even a mosque have been discovered. In summer, the theatre stages old and modern theatrical performances, and events of different genre.