Agrigento is a town on the Southern coast of Sicily and is the capital of the province of Agrigento.
It is built on the site of Akragas, an ancient Greek city which was one of the leading cities of the Magna Graecia during the golden age of the empire. Later, it became a Roman town and was named Agrigentum.
During the middle ages it was renamed Girgenti until 1927, when 'Agrigento' was devised as a way to commemorate the city's past. It is probably now most well known for the Valley of the Temples, though it has much more to offer as a tourist destination and as a city.
It is built on the site of Akragas, an ancient Greek city which was one of the leading cities of the Magna Graecia during the golden age of the empire. Later, it became a Roman town and was named Agrigentum.
During the middle ages it was renamed Girgenti until 1927, when 'Agrigento' was devised as a way to commemorate the city's past. It is probably now most well known for the Valley of the Temples, though it has much more to offer as a tourist destination and as a city.
The “valley” is actually a hillside but there are, indeed, temples – and what magnificent temples they are! If you are interested in ancient history or architecture or merely want to soak up some culture alongside your sun, why not find a luxury villa in Sicily and visit?
Part of the UNESCO gathering of such historic sites in Italy, the Valley of the Temples is comprised of at least seven well-preserved Doric temples. Much of the area has yet to be excavated, but what has been uncovered so far is extensive. The most famous temple, and best preserved example, is probably the Temple of Concord.
Part of the UNESCO gathering of such historic sites in Italy, the Valley of the Temples is comprised of at least seven well-preserved Doric temples. Much of the area has yet to be excavated, but what has been uncovered so far is extensive. The most famous temple, and best preserved example, is probably the Temple of Concord.
This example is almost entirely intact, with only its roof missing, due to the fact that it was converted into a church in the 6th century by St. Gregory, Bishop of Agrigento. The temple is dated to c.450-440 BC based on the style. The church has since been almost completely stripped away with restoration works done in 1788. However, nave arches remain in the walls of the cella as reminders of its time as another place of worship.
Other temples include the Temple of Hercules, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Temple of Juno, Temple of the Dioscuri, Temple L and Temple E (another converted church in the modern city called Santa Maria dei Greci).
Set on the stark and dramatic hillsides of southern Sicily with vast skies overhead, the temples are not only historic and fascinating (guided tours are probably the best way to see them) but utterly captivating and beautiful, transporting you into an entirely different world. Sunsets in the area only heighten this effect, bleaching out the rock from which the temples are made and setting them ablaze with the colours of the sky. If you are spending time in Sicily, this is a must-see for historians and Romantics alike.
Other temples include the Temple of Hercules, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Temple of Juno, Temple of the Dioscuri, Temple L and Temple E (another converted church in the modern city called Santa Maria dei Greci).
Set on the stark and dramatic hillsides of southern Sicily with vast skies overhead, the temples are not only historic and fascinating (guided tours are probably the best way to see them) but utterly captivating and beautiful, transporting you into an entirely different world. Sunsets in the area only heighten this effect, bleaching out the rock from which the temples are made and setting them ablaze with the colours of the sky. If you are spending time in Sicily, this is a must-see for historians and Romantics alike.
Photo credits
picture 2: General Cucombre / CC BY 2.0
picture 2: General Cucombre / CC BY 2.0