holidays in agrigento

The town of Agrigento is the capital of the Provincial area bearing the same name and is located in the southwest of Sicily. It was once one of the most prosperous Greek settlements on the island, and is home to some of the best examples of Doric temples outside of Greece itself. The earliest signs of human occupation date from 580 BC, which were then followed by Greek settlements up to 210 BC, when the area was conquered by the Romans. After the fall of the empire, the town was occupied by the Saracens until the arrival of the Normans in 1087.

Agrigento Holiday Accommodation

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The current town occupies the site of the original Greek city, with the oldest part situated on the summit of Monte Camico. There are three large connected squares which effectively divide the centre of the town; the piazza Fratelli Rosselli to the north, the piazza Aldo Moro to the south and the piazza Marconi further south still. Key points of interest in the old town include the Duomo, founded in the 11th Century, but greatly extended in the 14th and 17th centuries. The Museo Diocesano, is situated alongside the cathedral, with displays of Roman artefacts, whilst the Museo Civico houses a number of medieval paintings and sculptures.

Undoubtedly the most famous area of Agrigento is the Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples), which is situated a couple of kilometres to the south of the town centre. The original ancient city was surrounded by a wall, which encircled all of the Greek temples, including those dedicated to Zeus, Heracles, Concord and Hera.

The Temple of Heracles dates from the 6th century BC and has nine standing columns, eight of which were restored in the 1920’s. In its original condition the temple had 38 columns and occupied a site of 67m by 25m. Further along the via Sacra is the Temple of Concord, which is probably the second best preserved Doric temple in the world, after the Theseion in Athens. The temple was constructed in the 5th century BC with 34 columns, occupying a site of 39m by 17m. In part the excellent state of preservation was helped by restoration work carried out both in the 4th Century AD, when the temple became a Christian basilica, and in the 18th century when it was returned to its original Greek form.

Another kilometre further east is the site of the Temple of Hera, which resembles the Temple of Concord in form, but is smaller and less well preserved. Originally built in the 5th century BC, the Temple was restored and used by the Romans. There are now 25 of the original 34 columns still standing, occupying a site of 38m by 16m. The Temple of Olympian Zeus can be accessed via the Posto di Ristoro, which is situated close to the intersection of via dei Templi and via Sacra. Also built in the 5th century BC, the temple is the largest Doric example known, occupying a site of 110m by 52m. Sadly it has now fallen almost entirely to ruin, its destruction caused by the Edict of Olympia in the 6th century, the effect of earthquakes and the removal of stones in the 18th century.

The Sanctuary of Chthonic Divinities is a extensive area of excavations which includes houses, a gatehouse and various shrines, which originally were enclosed by a precinct wall. Also to be found here is the Temple of Castor and Pollux, which has four surviving columns, which were re-positioned in the 19th century. It is now known that the site in fact includes elements from various other buildings as well. There are of course numerous other archaeological sites to be seen, not least the Hellenistic and Roman district, the Rock Sanctuary of Demeter and the Temples of Asklepios and Hephasitos.

Alongside the spectacular temples, Agrigento is also the home for the Museo Regionale Archeologico, which is probably the best museum on the island. Exhibits include pieces from the Bronze Age as well as extensive pottery and artefacts that were recovered from the various temples.

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