Recently updated on January 20th, 2020 at 10:20 pm
Located between the boot of Italy and the coast of North Africa, the Italian island of Sicily is endlessly enticing to visitors from across the globe. An island with many different faces, volcanic and mountainous landscapes speak of something wild and untamed, while medieval towns dotted with lemon trees and ancient, crumbling ruins offer insight into the fascinating history of this Mediterranean enclave. An enduring attraction for visitors, Agrigento and the UNESCO World Heritage Valley of Temples remain one of Sicily’s most captivating cultural sites.
Thought to be the most impressive ancient site of its kind outside of Athens, the Valley of Temples dates back as far as the sixth century BC, spanning centuries of Greek and Roman rule, and the Medieval period.
Situated on a ridge, the ancient site stretches between the modern hilltop town of Agrigento and the sea, with a valley carved into the land where some of the ancient city once stood.
From its first incarnation as Akragas during Greek rule, to Agrigentum in Roman times and Girgenti in the medieval period, the city has undergone many transformations, which can be seen through each temple’s remains. In fact, it wasn’t until 1927 that the city was renamed Agrigento to honour its history.
Starting at the modern town of Agrigento, a winding road leads down to the 1,300-hectare archaeological zone, which is split into east and west. While the west is worth exploring for its crumbling ruins, the east is what captivates visitors the most.
Within the eastern section, the temple that draws the most attention is Tempio della Concordia. As the best-preserved temple within the complex, it remains almost as it was when it was first constructed back in 430 BC, thanks in part to its restoration in 1748. As you look out from the temple across the city and out to sea, it’s not difficult to imagine why it was used as a beacon for homecoming sailors.
Another extremely well preserved site to the east is the Temple of Juno, known here as Tempio di Giunone. Despite being partially destroyed during an earthquake in the Middle Ages, it is still remarkably intact and the setting for dramatic stories of sacrifice, fire and invasion.
The west, too, has a number of archaeological remains to wander between, yet due to earthquakes that have hit the island over the centuries, they remain less intact than on the eastern side. Another reason to venture to the west, the Garden of Kolymbetra is a lush pocket of greenery in the midst of these ancient ruins.
Exploring this archaeological site with a local specialist is an unrivalled way to discover the history of Agrigento and the temple ruins. As the stories behind each structure unravel, the fascinating history of the island is revealed.
See Agrigento and the Valley of Temples yourself on the Southern Italy and Sicily and Best of Italy and Sicily trips with Trafalgar.
Image credits: cover photo © iStock / titoslack. The Icarus statue in front of the Temple of Concordia © iStock / Banet12. A view over Agrigento © iStock / Peeter Viisimaa. Temple of Concordia © iStock / titoslack. The archaeological remains in Agrigento © iStock / lachris77.