I recently visited the valley of the temples valle dei templi in agrigento in the south of sicily. For those travelling to the valley of thetemples by car, there are two car parks, one to the east by thetemple ofjuno and one by the western half of the site. Agrigento is an interesting place to enjoy the historical sites ancient akragas, the valley of temples and they were listed as world heritage site. Agrigento is a large town in sicily near the greek temples archaeological park and the sea. The valley of the temples, agrigento, sicily travel past 50.
Our plan today was to visit the valley of the temples on a hill close to agrigento. This parade of wellpreserved doric temples, just outside town, dates back to the fifth century bc and is what remains of the greek. You can also book your tickets online at the official website of coopculture. Agrigento has the best preserved greek temples archaeological park in the world. The impressive doric temples constitute one of the most important testaments to greek culture and art, and they tell us about the thousandyear old history which began in the sixth century b. Having a guidebook or a historical map in tote will help you to better understand the site. Valley of the temples, agrigento, sicily by michael tancredi. The vast archaeological park, a symbol of the glories of the city lived in the ancient period, extends for about 0 hectares of temples, homes, and sacred places.
Ancient akragas conserves its valley of the temples, with the most numerous and known of sicilys archaeological remains from the greek period. The history of agrigento 25 centuries of agrigento history. I will be taking the cuffaro bus, which i understand takes around 2 hours. Valley of the temples, agrigento, sicily, italia youtube. The valley of the temples valle dei templi is a unesco world heritage site and one of the greatest legacies of ancient greece. The city was founded in around 580 bc and prospered until it was conquered and destroyed by the carthaginians in 406. When the temple comes into view you are almost at the town of agrigento. The valley of temple is huge and spectacular, consist of several temples such as temple of concordia, temple of olympian zeus, temple of hercules, and temple of hera. A guide to valley of the temples in agrigento, sicily musement. The archaeological area of agrigento, in sicily, was included in 1997 in the unesco world heritage list. Valley of the temples, agrigento, sicily the museum times. It is one of the most outstanding examples of greater greece art and architecture, and is one of the main attractions of sicily as well as a. Information about sites to be visited is provided en route to sites and at the valley in agrigento, visitors are dropped at one end and met at gate v at the other end.
Modern agrigento used to be the greek city of akragas, a colony of settlers mainly from rhodes and crete who, having initially settled in gela, decided to move west, partly in an attempt to stem the ambitious advances of selinunte and partly because the land in the area was ideal for cultivating olives, grapes and cereal. This is the most ancient of the remaining temples at agrigento, dating to the sixth century bc. If youd like to find things to see and do in the area, you might want to stop in and see san leone beach and scala dei turchi. The temple of concord, temple of hera and temple of hercules, which are the three bestpreserved temples, are in the eastern part of the sq km archaeological park. In sicily, about 2600 years after the greeks came here and started building temples, a lot of parts of those temples are still around. Agrigento, in which they are located, had been a greek colony since the 6th century bc. Temple of concordia, agrigento ancient history encyclopedia. Then came the period of roman history when the city was called agrigentum. Agrigento map interactive map of agrigento, sicily.
The valley of temples in agrigento is one of the main attractions of sicily, and a national monument of italy, included in the unesco heritage site list in 1997. The valley of the temples in agrigento is a proof of that. Temple of concordia, agrigento by mark cartwright, cc byncsa. While not being the prettiest city in sicily, modern agrigento is worth a brief visit, if only for the wonderful views of the valley of the temples and the sea villas in sicily near agrigento for a good lunch after viewing the temples, head for leon doro in san leone, on the coast south of agrigento. The city was first called akragas which means unclear by the greek people. Agrigento, the valley of the temples, the regional museum giovanni, guiseppe di on. Sicilys most famous ancient greek site, the valley of the temples, is just the beginning of agrigentos delights, and well worth the visit. It has mighty and strong fortress and thriving districts people flock from all over and ships and caravans gather here. The area was a greek settlement 2500 years ago and there are extensive remains of greek temples that can be seen in the archaeological park. Massive ancient miraculously standing greek temples from the 6th century b. The eastern half of the valley of the temples contains the most complete and impressive ruins. In 1997 the valley of the temples was declared a unesco world heritage site.
Apr 08, 2015 valle dei templi agrigento, sicily, italy please subscribe. The walk took us past the ruins of the temples of zeus, heracles, dioscuri, and giove before the long walk to the impressive temple of concordia. The valley of the temples is certainly the most important testimony of the ancient, classical culture of sicily. The sculptures are stylized ruins of greek gods and heroes, and you can imagine that there were sculptures not unlike them in the temples and surrounds. A lot of imagination is required to reconstruct the landscape of temples. Agrigento valley of the temples sicily island travel guide. Valle dei templi agrigento, sicily, italy please subscribe. Online ticket office archaeological and landscape park. The valley of the temples is part of the unesco heritage since 1997 and it is considered the largest archeological site in the world counting about 0 hectares.
The normans, however, recognized its importance, and it was during the norman rule that beautiful churches were constructed in and around the city. It brings together the temples of the gods and goddesses as well as the area of the necropolis and sanctuaries outside the walls. Ancient agrigentos importance declined under the byzantines and saracens, who encouraged settlement of the medieval city presentday agrigento several kilometers from the valley of the temples. Book your valley of the temples tickets online and skiptheline. Among the various tourist attractions you can see in sicily, there is, with no shadow of grey, the valley of the temples.
The valley of the temples glorious greek monuments in. He gives you a bit of the history of sicily on the journey to agrigento and the first stop at the valle dei templi where you get an hour and a half to explore on your own. It brings together the temples of gods goddesses as well as the area of the necropolis and sanctuaries outside the walls. The valley of the temples in agrigento guide of valley.
The closest temple to the road is temple a, also called the temple of herakles. The valley of the temples is a wonderful archaeological sight where it is possible to discover impressive ruins dating back to the greek colonisation. All the information you need to visit the valley of the temples and agrigento. In a almost enchanted valley, full of almond trees in bloom, it is the most impressive group of monuments of. Agrigento the ancient akragas, nowadays world heritage site, was described by pindar as the most beautiful city of mortals. The romans and carthaginians ruled agrigento during the 3rd century. Valley of the temples unesco visit sicily official page. Oct 26, 2012 agrigento is an interesting place to enjoy the historical sites ancient akragas, the valley of temples and they were listed as world heritage site. Agrigentum was a greekfounded citystate located on the south coast of sicily near the. The valley of temples, agrigento, sicily lucky 2b here. We arrived at the entrance, bought tickets and a map and proceeded to ticket control and security. The most well known and well preserved are concordia, juno and heracles and the complex itself is one of largest in the world situated in the mostly rural region of agrigento. The museum at agrigento is one of the most important in italy, with impressive exhibits and covering the history of the city from the earliest human settlement.
The valley is found near the site of the ancient greek colony and city of akragas, now known as agrigento. A wonderful walking tour has been created which highlights the path taken from nature to culture over the centuries, and. The temple of castor and pollux dioscuri, the legendary twin brothers, born from the. Stretched out along a ridge, inappropriately referred to as valley, and nestling in the area to the south of it, are a series of temples which were all erected in the course of a century 5c bc, as if to testify to the prosperity of the city at that time. The history of this impressive valley starts with the foundation of akragas in 580 bc by the greeks. One of the most impressive is the valley of the temples. The temples a dozen of them erected in 5 bc, are located on the ridge to the south of the town. Visitors travel here to visit the valle dei templi, valley of the temples, one of sicilys mustsee sites. Sicily tour guides agrigento 2020 all you need to know. This is the start of a mysterious and fascinating trip. Agrigento is a historic city well known for its temples and gardens.
Aug, 2014 the valley of the temples in agrigento is a proof of that. Vaddi di li tempri is an archaeological site in agrigento ancient greek akragas, sicily, southern italy. I book my skip the line ticket for agrigento valley of the temples now. Agrigento has a long history of occupation and has changed hands several times during its 2600 year life. A gnarled 800 year old olive tree in the valley of the temples. Agrigento, sicily the valley of the temples the thinking traveller. And if you want to learn more about the sites history, you can get a. Agrigento, sicily the valley of the temples the thinking. The most famous archaeological attraction, which has raised agrigento to worldwide recognition, is the valle dei temple, or the valley of the temples, which has been declared a unesco world heritage site and was constructed from the 6th century bc onwards. The valley of the temples of agrigento represents one of the most picturesque routes that can be made in sicily. The valley of the temples valle dei templi is a famous archaeological site in sicily housing some of the best preserved ancient greek ruins in the world, especially outside greece. This unesco site dates from the 5 th century bc and is the largest archaeological site in the world. Agrigento, sicilys most famous greek site, is famous above all for its valley of the temples valle dei templi and tourists in a hurry such as those on organised cruise ship excursions will visit only this spot. Tempio dei dioscuri the temple of castor and pollux dioscuri, the legendary twin brothers, born from the union of jupiter and the queen of sparta, nowadays has only four columns left and has become the symbol of agrigento.
Colonists from greece founded akragas known today as agrigento in the sixth century bc and it quickly became the greatest greek city in the whole mediterranean. On one of those days, i want to make an early start and head to the valley of the temples. Allessio is a very good driver and extremely well informed guide. I am visiting sicily of 5 days and am hotel based in palermo. Vaddi di li tempri is an archaeological site in agrigento ancient greek akragas, sicily. Be sure to take note, too, of the spectacular sculptures by the german artist igor mitoraj which dot the site. A guide to valley of the temples in agrigento, sicily. The temple of castor and pollux dioscuri, the legendary twins born from the union of the queen of sparta with jupiter, has become the symbol of the city of agrigento. Valley of the temples agrigento sicily home facebook. A unesco world heritage site since 1997, it covers an area of about 0 hectares in the south of the ancient city.
The term valley is a misnomer, the site being located on a ridge outside the town of agrigento. For those travelling to the valley of thetemples by car, there are two car parks, one to the east by. This amazing architectural site comprises 7 doric temple ruins of greek origin dating from the 5th century bc. Jan 01, 2001 agrigento, the valley of the temples, the regional museum giovanni, guiseppe di on. It is one of the most outstanding examples of greater greece book your guided visits to agrigento with rosa maria montalbano, authorized official guide of the valley of the temples, and with many years experience in italian. The rediscovery of akragas began towards the end of the eighteenth century, when the first european travellers reached sicily, discovering an unexpected and immense artistic, archaeological heritage.
Discover the places not to be missed during your trip to sicily and book the best. The most famous archaeological attraction, which has raised agrigento to worldwide recognition, is the valle dei temple, or the valley of the temples, which has been. It is thanks to the community of lovers and protectors of antiquity that we can experience agrigento and the valley of the temples today. Agrigento was founded around 580 bc by greek settlers. The valley of the temples is an unmissable aspect of your visit to agrigento. The valley of the temples the valle dei templi english. Agrigento is situated on sicilys southern coast, and the towns valley of the temples valle dei templi is a unesco world heritage site and one of the greatest legacies of ancient greece. Valley of the temples agrigento oneday itinerary the valley of the temples and agrigento in a day. The best preserved temple in the valley of the temples. Earthquakes, fanatical christian iconoclasm and the need to retrieve stones for other buildings led to there destruction and only the temple of the concorde is in a. This parade of wellpreserved doric temples, just outside town, dates back to the fifth and sixth centuries bc and is what remains of the greek city of akragas. Explore the archaeological park of the valley of the temples of agrigento. The valley of the temples in agrigento wish sicily.
In a almost enchanted valley, full of almond trees in bloom, it is the most impressive group. Photos, descriptions, maps and opinions for choosing the holiday solution thats best for you. Valley of the temples in agrigento the best preserved greek. Where agrigento and the valley of the temples are found today was the huge site of ancient akragas, a wealthy city of as many as 500,000 people and one of the most important in ancient greece. Agrigento, sicily the valley of the temples select italy. Placed outside the town of agrigento on the western side of sicily the valley of the temples includes eight handsome and magnificent doric temples and other ancient greek remains that form the most important archaeological park in the south of italy.
Temple of concord in the valley of temples, agrigento. Agrigento the valley of the temples regional museum. The valley of the temples in agrigento guide of valley of. Jun 10, 2017 the second stop on our sicilian trip was in the city of agrigento, on the southern coast of the island of sicily. The land in the valley was very fertile, and favourable for cereal.
The akragas of the greeks, the agrigentum of the romans, had ended up in. The archaeological area of the temples, which stands just outside the modern city, has been inserted into the unesco national heritage list of locations. Valley of the temples in agrigento the best preserved. One of sicilys most famous historical attractions is without a doubt the valley of the temples, just outside agrigento. Agrigento travel history hotels best of sicily agrigento. The valley of the temples also features modern sculptures by the german artist igor mitoraj which fit brilliantly into the landscape. Agrigento, the valley of the temples, the regional museum. Valley of the temples sicily visitor guide and photo tour. The valley of the temples in agrigento sicily on web. Jan 21, 2016 among the various tourist attractions you can see in sicily, there is, with no shadow of grey, the valley of the temples. Agrigente valley of the temples valle dei templi the. Discovering the valley of the temples, one of the most extensive, representative and best preserved archaeological sites of classical greek civilization, granted unesco world heritage status in 1997 the archaeological area corresponds to the remains of the ancient akragas, the original nucleus of modern agrigento. Set on fire by the carthaginians in 406, they were restored in their original style by the romans. The greek ruins are extensive, and strewn all over the site.
The second stop on our sicilian trip was in the city of agrigento, on the southern coast of the island of sicily. Mar 16, 2015 i found the valley of the temples to be a highlight of my trip to agrigento, sicily and i highly recommend a visit if you have a keen interest in history, culture and ancient civilizations. This is the most ancient of the remaining temples at. The original power and grandeur of the ancient city still echos throughout the valley of the temples, most vividly in the seven magnificent doric temples scattered about the site. The romans ruled during the period 262 bc and carthaginians in the. Save time and money with our best price guarantee make the most of your visit to agrigento. The origin of the valley dates back to the 6th century bc, when the greek settlers, who had first settled in gela south of agrigento, decided to go back a bit more inland in order to counter selinuntes attempts to expand. The valley of the temples, the regional museum di giovanni, giuseppe, color photographs on.
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