Agrigento - Valley of the Temples

Agrigento, is a city with a rich history and culture, that has many traces from different periods. 

First to mention is The Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO-listed site that preserves some of the most impressive ancient Greek ruins in the world. 

Here are some historical facts that you might find interesting:

The Valley of the Temples was not actually a valley, but a ridge outside the ancient city of Akragas, which was founded by Greek colonists in the 6th century BC. The ridge was chosen as a sacred area where the temples and sanctuaries were built to honor the gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon.
The temples were mostly constructed in the 5th century BC, during the golden age of Akragas, when the city was one of the most powerful and prosperous in the Mediterranean. The temples reflected the wealth and prestige of the city, as well as its artistic and architectural achievements. They were built in the Doric style, with massive columns, triangular pediments, and elaborate decorations2
The most famous temple in the Valley is the Temple of Concordia, which is remarkably well-preserved and considered one of the finest examples of Greek architecture. The temple was dedicated to the goddess of harmony and peace, and was later converted into a Christian church in the 6th century AD, which helped to protect it from destruction. The temple has 34 columns, 6 on the front and back and 13 on the sides, and measures 39.44 by 16.91 meters23
The largest and most ambitious temple in the Valley was the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which was built to commemorate the victory of Akragas over the Carthaginians in 480 BC. The temple was designed to be the largest in the Greek world, measuring 113 by 56 meters, and featuring colossal statues of atlases, giants who supported the sky, along the walls. However, the temple was never completed, and was partly destroyed by an earthquake and later by the Romans, who used its stones for other buildings. Today, only some fragments and foundations remain of the temple23
The oldest temple in the Valley is the Temple of Heracles, which was dedicated to the hero-god who was widely worshipped in Akragas. The temple was built in the 6th century BC, and was one of the first projects of the tyrant Theron, who ruled the city from 488 to 472 BC. The temple was destroyed by an earthquake, and only eight columns have been re-erected. The temple had 6 columns on the front and back and 15 on the sides, and measured 25.34 by 67 meters23
I hope you enjoyed learning more about the Valley of the Temples. 

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But there is more to see and do in Agrigento. The old town is full of charming alleys, churches and palaces, that reflect different styles and epochs. You can visit, for example, the Cathedral of San Gerlando, founded in the 11th century by the Normans and rebuilt several times. It contains some interesting artworks and relics. 

If you want to learn more about the life and culture of the ancient inhabitants of Akragas, you can visit the Archaeological Museum, which has a large collection of artifacts from various excavations. You can admire there, among others, statues, vases, jewelry, coins and ceramics. The museum is located near the Olympieion, a huge temple dedicated to Zeus, but never completed. 

Agrigento is also known for its culinary specialties, influenced by the Sicilian cuisine. You can try, for example, the typical almond cookies (pasta di mandorla), often filled with pistachios, lemon or chocolate. Or you can enjoy a dish made with fresh fish or seafood, such as the sarde a beccafico, sardines stuffed with raisins, pine nuts and breadcrumbs and baked.