Due to its proximity to France, its geographical location on the shores of the Mediterranean, its climate and the richness of its history, Italy is a very beautiful destination that you should visit at least once in your life. If you are fond of discoveries but are still hesitating, today’s guide should surely convince you.
We will disembark on the land of Agrigento, one of the emblematic cities of the southern coast of Sicily. It is a journey through history that we will begin, where we will visit temples and archaeological sites, many of which are classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Nature will also invite itself on our journey.
Discovering Agrigento and its archaeological gems
The Scala Dei Turchi
Along the southern coast of Sicily, you will have no trouble recognizing the Scala Dei Turchi, or “Turkish stairs” in French. Very popular with tourists from all over the world, these are majestic staircases made of limestone. They flow directly into the Mediterranean.
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Just nearby you will see the village of Realmonte. It is a very pretty contrasting landscape that is offered to visitors. On the one hand, there is the spotted white of the city and, on the other side, the pure and turquoise blue of the sea. A real feast for the eyes!
The old Town
Many are the peculiarities of Agrigento. Admittedly, it is a modern city, but you can still visit the old town of Agrigento. Explore its maze of enclosed streets. Perched on the hills, the city offers excellent terrain for long walks, where you will see houses of character with ancient architecture, old churches, cobbled streets… Everything that smacks of Antiquity.
Do not miss the Via Atenea. It is the main avenue of the old town of Agrigento. It crosses the entire historic center. Walking through it, you will see the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, the Church of St. Mary or the Cathedral of San Gerlando.
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The Temple of Castor and Pollux
Let’s begin our journey through history. We will first visit the Valley of the Temples which, as its name suggests, is full of these buildings that exude spirituality. When visiting Agrigento, you will indeed be surprised by the impressive number of temples.
● The difficult passage of time
You can start your journey by visiting that of Castor and Pollux in Circo Flaminio. It is one of the unmissable monuments of Agrigento. It must be said that time has not done it any favors, knowing that a large part of this building has disappeared. There are still a few columns left, but they only give a glimpse of the architectural grandeur of the site and its history.
The Temple of Hercules
Displaying an archaic Doric style, the Temple of Hercules is the oldest in the region. Its construction dates from the end of the 6th century BC. You guessed it, it was built in honor of Hercules, hero of Greek mythology.
The building is on a base with three access steps. At the time, it had 6 Doric columns on the facades. What remains of the Temple of Hercules is on the eastern side. This is where we found, for example, the high altar.
The Temple of Hera
The temple of Hera proudly dominates a large part of the Agrigento ridge, also overlooking the sea. Also called “temple of Juno”, it housed an altar where sacrifices were made during antiquity. The construction of this monument dates from the middle of the 5th century BC. It was at the time of the city of Akragas.
● The War-Proof Temple
During the Punic Wars, it was burned down by the Carthaginians in 406 BC. Later, the Romans rebuilt it by adding the inclined plane to the east facade. Today, only a few columns remain, witnesses of an era rich in upsetting events.
The Temple of Concord
If there is a site that has been able to withstand the passage of millennia, it is that of La Concorde. Moreover, it is one of the best preserved buildings in Agrigento. When you are there, you will be able to perfectly distinguish the interior room which was reserved for the priests. In Ancient Rome, it was called “the Naos”.
● Remarkable dimensions
The Temple of Concordia was built in 430 BC. With typical architecture of the time, it was 20 meters long and 42 meters wide. Its columns, for their part, were 6.75 meters high. Formerly, it had a colorful look, but the passage of time has left only the appearance of stones.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
If the Concorde was lucky enough to resist despite the passage of time, the Temple of Olympian Zeus did not have the same privilege. According to some versions, the construction project would have started around 480 BC. The temple was to allow to celebrate the victory of Agrigento against the Carthaginians in Himeria.
● A doomed fate
In fact, the building was destined to become the largest Doric temple in history, but an earthquake shattered the dream of its builders. The temple then collapsed. Before this disaster, a good part managed to see the light of day. Its columns had an impressive height of 20 meters. Between these, it was to house 8-meter statues. You can still see remnants of the past grandeur of the Temple of Zeus.
The Archaeological Museum
It is difficult to visit Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples without going through the archaeological museum. Located on a small hill, it is very close to the archaeological sites of the region. The establishment opened its doors in 1968. It took the place of a former Cistercian monastery.
● An exceptional historical richness
The Archaeological Museum of Agrigento immerses you in the heart of Antiquity, but also of prehistory and the Hellenic period. It houses ancient works. You will discover, for example, sculptures and collections of archaeological objects.
The museum also offers to discover a collection of sarcophagi. Right in front of the property there is the medieval Church of St. Nicholas (San Nicola). Here you will find a large crucifix, a garden and sarcophagi.
Nature and history will therefore be present during your getaway to Agrigento. All you have to do is find a place to sleep. Enjoy!
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