Agrigento was one of the leading cities of Magna Graecia during the golden age of Ancient Greece. We visited The Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Archaeological Museum.
Our ship's welcome to the Port of Empedocle near Agrigento
Our ship's welcome to the Port of Empedocle near Agrigento
The modern city of Agrigento is built on a ridge above the ancient ruins in the Valley of the Temples below. 'Valley' is a bit of a misnomer as the temples were built on a ridge, albeit lower than the ridge upon which the modern city is built.
The modern city of Agrigento is built on a ridge above the ancient ruins in the Valley of the Temples below. 'Valley' is a bit of a misnomer as the temples were built on a ridge, albeit lower than the ridge upon which the modern city is built.
Our first hint of the extraordinary things we were about to see in the Valley of the Temples was this view of the Temple of Concordia from the bus as we approached the site.
Our first hint of the extraordinary things we were about to see in the Valley of the Temples was this view of the Temple of Concordia from the bus as we approached the site.
The altar of the Temple of Juno. The altar for sacrifices is always located outside the temple.
The altar of the Temple of Juno. The altar for sacrifices is always located outside the temple.
Temple of Juno (5th Century BC)
Temple of Juno (5th Century BC)
Traces of the white stucco, which would have always clad these structures, remain on some of the temple's steps.
Traces of the white stucco, which would have always clad these structures, remain on some of the temple's steps.
A view toward the Temple of Concordia and the Port of Empedocle from the Temple of Juno
A view toward the Temple of Concordia and the Port of Empedocle from the Temple of Juno
A Christian necropolis was carved into the cliffs along the Valley of the Temples in the early Centuries AD.
A Christian necropolis was carved into the cliffs along the Valley of the Temples in the early Centuries AD.
A grave in the necropolis
A grave in the necropolis
Recreation of a cart that might have been used to haul stone parts for building the temples
Recreation of a cart that might have been used to haul stone parts for building the temples
Capers growing on the cliff
Capers growing on the cliff
A togati statue
A togati statue
A view back toward the Temple of Juno
A view back toward the Temple of Juno
A view back toward the Temple of Juno
A view back toward the Temple of Juno
A century plant in bloom
A century plant in bloom
Approaching the Temple of Concordia
Approaching the Temple of Concordia
The Temple of Concordia (5th Century BC) - It is second only to the Parthenon in Athens with respect to size and level of preservation.
The Temple of Concordia (5th Century BC) - It is second only to the Parthenon in Athens with respect to size and level of preservation.
The Temple of Concordia
The Temple of Concordia
All of the columns in the Valley of the Temples were doric in style.
All of the columns in the Valley of the Temples were doric in style.
A view of modern Agrigento from the Valley of the Temples
A view of modern Agrigento from the Valley of the Temples
A view of modern Agrigento from the Valley of the Temples
A view of modern Agrigento from the Valley of the Temples
Between 1921 and 1932, Villa Aurea was the residence of Sir Alexander Hardcastle, a nobleman and captain of the British army. He funded numerous archaeological excavations.
Between 1921 and 1932, Villa Aurea was the residence of Sir Alexander Hardcastle, a nobleman and captain of the British army. He funded numerous archaeological excavations.
The Valley of the Temples is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Valley of the Temples is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A canal next to Villa Aurea
A canal next to Villa Aurea
Ruins of the Altar of the Temple of Heracles
Ruins of the Altar of the Temple of Heracles
Remains of the Temple of Heracles (ca. last years of the 6th Century BC)
Remains of the Temple of Heracles (ca. last years of the 6th Century BC)
These drums or discs that are laying about are segments of fallen columns.
These drums or discs that are laying about are segments of fallen columns.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
English description of the Temple of Olympian Zeus extracted from the previous photo
English description of the Temple of Olympian Zeus extracted from the previous photo
Model of the Temple of Olympian Zeus in the Archaeological Museum, Agrigento - Attributed to: By Clemensfranz - Own work, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=860876
Model of the Temple of Olympian Zeus in the Archaeological Museum, Agrigento - Attributed to: By Clemensfranz - Own work, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=860876
Conjectural reconstruction of the temple's outer wall with the atlas supports - Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1211081 Public Domain, <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1211081">Link</a>
Conjectural reconstruction of the temple's outer wall with the atlas supports - Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1211081 Public Domain, <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1211081">Link</a>
Remains of the altar of the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Remains of the altar of the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Remains of the altar of the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Remains of the altar of the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Some remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus (5th to 1st Century BC)
Some remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus (5th to 1st Century BC)
Some remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Some remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Some remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Some remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Inside the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Inside the Temple of Olympian Zeus
English description of the interior of the Temple of Olympian Zeus extracted from the previous photo
English description of the interior of the Temple of Olympian Zeus extracted from the previous photo
A view of the area that was once the interior of the Temple of Olympian Zeus
A view of the area that was once the interior of the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Remains of an original atlas at the Temple of Olympian Zeus. From Wikipedia: 'In European architectural sculpture, an atlas is a support sculpted in the form of a man, which may take the place of a column, a pier or a pilaster.'
Remains of an original atlas at the Temple of Olympian Zeus. From Wikipedia: 'In European architectural sculpture, an atlas is a support sculpted in the form of a man, which may take the place of a column, a pier or a pilaster.'
Remains of an original atlas at the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Remains of an original atlas at the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Remains of a reconstructed atlas at the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Remains of a reconstructed atlas at the Temple of Olympian Zeus
The people in this photo demonstrate the scale of the atlas.
The people in this photo demonstrate the scale of the atlas.
The ravages of time create a beautiful structure and patina on the stone.
The ravages of time create a beautiful structure and patina on the stone.
Entrance to the Regional Archaeological Museum 'Pietro Griffo' in Agrigento
Entrance to the Regional Archaeological Museum 'Pietro Griffo' in Agrigento
Museum entry courtyard
Museum entry courtyard
An erect version of the Temple of Olympian Zeus atlas in the Museum
An erect version of the Temple of Olympian Zeus atlas in the Museum
