Agrigento city in Sicily. Agrigento, Sicily

Agrigento is located in the Italian region of Sicily. The current modern city arose on the site of the ancient settlement of Akragas, founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC.

general information

On the map of Italy, Agrigento is located in the southwestern part of the island of Sicily. The climate in the city is moderately warm. The maximum temperature in summer is +25. In winter, the temperature ranges from +10 to +15. Most of the precipitation falls during the winter months.

Important! Agrigento does not have its own airport. You can fly by plane to Catania, Palermo and Trapani.

The city can be easily reached by bus or train. From the capital of Sicily, Palermo, where the international airport is located, there are several trains a day. Agrigento can be reached from Catania, where the airport is also located.

The ancient city of Agrigento

Ticket price: From Palermo - 8…13 euros*. The duration of the trip is 2 hours. A ticket from Catania costs 15…23 euros. The duration of the trip is 6 hours.

The bus in Silicia is considered the main transport. Agrigento can be reached by bus from Palermo, Catania and Trapani.

Ticket price: from Palermo - 11 euros, travel time - 2 hours; from Trapani - from 48 euros, travel time - 5 hours; from Catania - 17 ... 24 euros, travel time - 5 hours.

In addition to the bus and train, the city can be reached by car. Coordinates on the map for motorists: SS 189 leads from Palermo to the city.

Important! Agrigento is almost all pedestrian and it is almost impossible to enter the city by car. You can find a place to park your car near the station, where there is a car park.

Valley of the Temples

Agrigento (Sicily): description of the main attractions

The main attraction of the city is the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento. It is located a few kilometers from the city center. The valley is a territory on which the remains of ancient temple buildings are located. The buildings were erected by the ancient Greeks living in this area (ancient Akragas) in the 5th-6th centuries BC. e. The archaeological park is divided into two parts by the road.

Temple of Concordia

This temple is better preserved than all the ancient buildings that have survived to this day. It is also called the Temple of Concord. This ritual building in the Doric style was erected in 430 BC. e. The temple has a quadrangular shape with columns around the perimeter.

Temple of Concordia

The columns were designed by ancient Greek architects in such a way as to create an optical illusion for those present (the structure looks much more massive and majestic than it actually is). In the 7th century BC. e. the temple became the Christian church of Saints Peter and Paul.

Temple of Hera and Juno Lacinia

This temple is located at the highest point compared to other buildings. It was erected in 450 BC. e. Previously, the building had 38 columns. Only 25 of them have survived to this day.

There is a belief that it was in this temple that a picture depicting the goddess Juno, painted by the ancient Greek painter Zeuxis, was kept.

Temple of Hera and Juno Lacinia

Temple of Hercules

Its purpose was to personify the strength and power of Hercules, revered in Sicily. Of the 38 columns, only 8 have survived to this day. The structure dates back to 510 BC. e.

Temple of Jupiter

It was built in the second half of the 4th century BC. e. It was the most majestic of all temples. It was surrounded by 38 semi-columns of 6.5 meters in circumference. The temple was supported by telamones (sculptural images of men, they were also called Atlanteans) 7.5 meters high. Only remnants of its former glory have survived to this day. The original of one of the telamones is kept in the National Archaeological Museum.

In addition to the above buildings, in the Valley of the Temples you can see the remains of temples:

• Dioscuri;
• Aesculapius;
• Ephesus or Vulcan;
• Also on the territory there are necropolises of early Christians.

Additional Information! Entrance to the territory of the Valley of the Temples is paid - 5 euros, preferential - 3 euros. Opening hours: daily from 8:30 to 19:00.

Agrigento itself in Sicily is also of interest to tourists: it has preserved medieval buildings, and there are also many churches, museums, squares and alleys. In the city itself, the following attractions are of interest:

• Cathedral. The building of the cathedral, together with the bell tower, remained unfinished. The building has excellent acoustics. Inside you can admire the beautiful paintings. It was erected in the middle of the 15th century.
• Bishop's Palace and Seminary (14th century), as well as the building of the Lukesian Library. All these buildings are located opposite the Cathedral.
• Church of Santa Maria dei Greci. Its building was erected on the ruins of an ancient temple of Athena.
• Theater Luigi Pirangelo (18th century).
• City Museum, located in Piazza Pirandello. The City Hall is also located there. Address: Cortile St Spirito, I-92100 Agrigento.
• Diocesan Museum.
• Churches of Saint Lawrence, Holy Spirit, San Biagio.
• Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone.
• Archaeological Museum (considered the largest and most visited museum).

Temple of Jupiter

Excursions

To better know the history of all the sights of Agrigento, you should book a tour of the iconic places of the city. The cost of excursions starts from 200 euros. In addition to excursions around the city itself, you can book a tour of other provinces of Sicily and look at local attractions.

Types of recreation

Agrigento is famous for its beaches. The best time to relax on them is summer - mid-autumn. There are no beaches in the city itself, but the road to the suburban ones will take no more than 15 ... 20 minutes.

• San Leone beach. It is located near the main attraction of the city - the Valley of the Temples. During the high season, the beach is filled with tourists.
• Scala dei Turki. Here is the most beautiful nature, sandy shore and very warm sea water, which is suitable for relaxing with a child.
• You can also note such beaches as Kaos, Marinella, Lido Azzuro.

In addition to relaxing on the beaches, you can walk along the streets of the city and try to feel the spirit of the Middle Ages - here it will not be difficult. True, the view of the city itself creates a feeling of dilapidation, but this does not hurt to take great photos that convey the mood of Agrigento.

A few kilometers from Agrigento is San Leone - a tourist place by the sea. You can go here after all the interesting places in Agrigento have been explored. There are amusement parks for adults and children. You can also go on a boat trip from here.

San Leone beach

You can arrange a gastronomic tour of Agrigento. The city is famous for its cuisine, however, like any other city in Italy. Definitely worth a try:

• pasta with sardines;
• various types of mussels, fried fish;
• local delicacy - marinated shrimps;
• Kubaita's signature dessert is a confection made with sweet honey and roasted almonds.

Information for tourists

Going on an excursion to the Valley of the Temples in the summer, you should definitely take a minimum supply of drinking water and a hat with you.

There are few hotels in the city, but you can choose an option and find both a 5-star hotel and a 3-star hotel.

On a note! In February, hundreds of almond trees bloom in the Valley of the Temples, which gives the place a special beauty.

The direction of Agrigento Sicily can rightly be called one of the most interesting. This city is definitely worth a visit. It contains everything in order to get vivid impressions, a sea of ​​emotions and wonderful memories of what you saw.

*The prices indicated in the article are current at the time of publication of the material.

Hot tours to Italy

Agrigento (Agrigento) - a small medieval town, which in itself deserves attention, but completely fades next to the neighboring Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi), the most important ancient Greek ruins in Sicily. Modern Agrigento is one of the liveliest cities in Sicily, which, moreover, enjoys a special, very peculiar status: it is here, as you know, that many notorious mafia families of Italy found shelter.

During the day, the ruins are usually teeming with tourists, so it is worth arriving there early in the morning or before closing time - in order to avoid crowds.

Walks in Agrigento

How to get there

Agrigento is easily accessible by both bus and train. For example, several trains a day run from Palermo (8-13 EUR, 2 hours on the road, 11 trains per day) and Catania (15-23 EUR, about 6 hours, 6 per day). To other directions, although trains run there, it is better to get there by bus.

There is a left-luggage office at the station, 3 EUR per 12 hours.

Buses are considered the number one transport in Sicily, and Agrigento is no exception: many locals and tourists prefer to get to the city on them. The bus station is located in Piazza Rosselli, just behind Piazza Vittorio Emanuele I, where the ticket office is located and you can find the timetable. Autoservizi Cuffaro runs buses to Palermo daily (11 EUR, 2 hours on the road, 7 trips from Mon to Sat, two on Sunday). Lumia organizes buses to Trapani (from 48 EUR, 5 hours, three times a day from Mon to Sat, one on Sunday), and SAIS sends buses to Catania (17-24 EUR, 5 hours on the way, departure every half an hour). Prices on the page are for April 2019.

Maps of Agrigento

By car

The SS189 connects Agrigento with Palermo, while the SS115 goes all the way to the coast, northwest of Trapani and southeast of Syracuse. To get to Enna, look for the SS640 through Caltanissetta.

It is impossible to drive a car into the medieval city center, since almost all of it is pedestrian. Parking is available near the station (in Piazza Marconi) and in Piazza Rosselli.

Hotels

There are not so many hotels in Agrigento, but finding an option to your liking is not difficult: there are “five” and pretty “three”, and in the vicinity you can even find farms that accept agritourists under their roof.

Transport

You can get to the Valley of the Temples by city buses that stop opposite the railway. station. Look for buses number 1, 2 or 3, get off at the stops "Museum" or "Piazzale dei Templi". Bus number 1 goes further to Porto Empedocle (2.80 EUR). Bus number 2 - to San Leone (1.20 EUR). Buses Linea Verde ("Green Line") leave every hour from the railway. station to the cathedral.

Tickets can be bought at the bar opposite the bus stop and punched on board.

3 things to do in Agrigento

1. Once in Agrigento in February, it is mandatory to go to the Valley of the Temples, even if you are not a big fan of antiquity. It is during this month that hundreds of almond trees, collected from all over Italy, bloom there. Not a single impressionist dreamed of such a collection of white and pink shades.
2. For the rest of the year, anyway, go to the Valley of the Temples, if only to look into the Spizzulio wine cellar (Via Panoramica Valle dei Templi, 23). And taste amazing pasta with sun-dried tomatoes with a glass or two of wine.
3. Having fallen in love with the local cuisine (everyone does it here for sure), go 30 km from Agrigento to the Mandranova estate. There you can buy a bottle of olive oil to take with you, and then, under the supervision of the hostess Silvia, take a three-hour cooking course. If you wish, you can also stay here for the night, be sure to swim in the pool (it is filled with water from mineral springs).

Attractions and attractions in Agrigento

Here are the unique temples of Juno-Lacinia and Concordia with adjacent early Christian catacombs, the ruins of the temples of Zeus, Hephaestus and Hercules, the sanctuary of Asclepius, the pre-Hellenic cave temple near the sanctuary of Demeter and the Church of San Nicola.

Most of Agrigento itself is quite modern, but the city still boasts a fair amount of medieval buildings, especially the cathedral and the church of Santa Maria dei Greci. There is also an excellent Archaeological Museum with an exhibition of objects found in the excavations of the ancient city.

The total area of ​​the monument is about 1300 hectares. In the VI century. BC. Greek settlers founded the colony of Akragas here, which was conquered by the Carthaginians two centuries later. Witnesses of the rich history of the city are Doric temples, squares, pagan and Christian burials, as well as a dense water supply network.

Valley from a bird's eye view

Scientists have identified in the valley the ruins of as many as ten temples of the Doric order and three sanctuaries, as well as many burials, fragments of the fortification system and part of the ancient Roman quarter, built on the site of the ancient Greek. There were also two market squares where meetings were held (in Greek they were called "agora"), and an administrative building for meetings of the city council - the bouleuterium.

temples

Temple of the Dioscuri. Photo © Merlijn Hoek, Angelo Milioto / Flickr.com

The temple of the mythical Dioscuri twins Castor and Pollux, the sons of Jupiter (Zeus) and the wife of the Spartan king Leda, has become a symbol of Agrigento.

Temple of Concordia. Photo / Shutterstock.com

The temple of the goddess of consent Concordia stands on the sacred road; it was built around the 5th century. BC. and is distinguished by the best preservation among the entire complex. In the VI century. AD a Christian church was set up in it. The original purpose of the temple was identified by an inscription found near the building.

Temple of Concordia. Photo © mariocutroneo, Merlijn Hoek / Flickr.com

The temple of Jupiter (Zeus) was built in gratitude for the victory of the inhabitants of Akragas over the Carthaginians in 480 BC. A gigantic figure of an atlas, consisting of massive stone blocks, has been preserved here.

Temple of Zeus. Photo © Dennis Jarvis, Terry Feuerborn / Flickr.com

Temple of Hercules (Hercules)

Temple of Hercules (Hercules) - the most ancient in the valley; the cult of the legendary hero was one of the central ones in Akragas. The building contained a bronze statue of Hercules; the temple was destroyed by an earthquake, and today only eight columns remain from it.

Temple of Hercules. Photo © poudou99 / Wikimedia Commons

Temple of Juno Lacinia

The temple of Juno Lacinia (scientists find it difficult to establish with accuracy who the temple is dedicated to, therefore the name is conditional) stands on a spectacular cliff, on the eastern part of the hill. On the walls of the cella (interior, limit), traces of a fire are still clearly visible: in 406 BC. this temple, almost indistinguishable from that of Concordia, was destroyed by the Carthaginians. Near the ruins of the temple, you can see a large altar for sacrifices (on the east side) and a section of the road with deep tracks from the wheels of carts passing along it.

Temple of Juno Lacinia. Photo © Angelo Milioto, mariocutroneo / Flickr.com

The temple of the god of healing Aesculapius was built quite far from the walls of the ancient city: the sick flocked here, praying for recovery. The walls of the temple were covered with inscriptions of gratitude from those who were lucky enough to be cured.

The Temple of Vulcan (Hephaestus) was built in the 5th century. BC. and, apparently, had a rather impressive scale. Unfortunately, very little of it remains today. In the foundation, the ruins of an even more ancient and very small temple were revealed.

Near the Golden Gate is the so-called "Tomb of Theron". It has nothing to do with the ruler of Acragas Theron: in fact, this pyramidal building made of tuff is a monument to those who died in the Second Punic War (Rome against Carthage, 218-201 BC).

Acropolis and Burials

Agora. Photo © Harvey Barrison / Flickr.com

The agora, the market square, which served as the main center of public life of the Greek city-states, also makes a great impression. In addition, it is worth seeing the "Council Hall" north of San Nicola Hill and the gymnasiums - a place where the townspeople played sports, studied and spent their leisure time.

Byzantine and early Christian burials. Photo © Clemensfranz / Wikimedia Commons, © Dennis Jarvis / Flickr.com

There are many Greek, Roman and early Christian necropolises in the valley, located just outside the ancient city. Also noteworthy are the plumbing, floor mosaics from Greek and Roman residential areas, as well as early Christian basilicas of the later era - for example, not far from the Temple of Concordia.

Architectural monuments of Agrigento from the archaeological site ( "Valley of the Temples"") are listed. Many temples of Agrigento are unparalleled in terms of preservation. Numerous antique buildings are combined with baroque architecture.

Ancient Akragas was founded as a colony of people from the island of Rhodes from, around 581 BC. Over time, thanks to active trade, the city of Akragas, becoming one of the largest cities ancient world with a population of at least 20 thousand people. Akragas was an independent city, but in 406 BC. besieged by the Carthaginians. The siege lasted 8 months and ended with the defeat of Akragas. The Carthaginians captured and destroyed the city. It was later restored, but was no longer able to regain its former brilliance. In 262 BC. Akragas was annexed to Rome as an ally, retaining its constitution.

Weather in Agrigento:

Attractions Agrigento

Among the main attractions of Agrigento are - Valley of the Temples(listed) and Old city Agrigento.

Valley of the Temples - Agrigento, Sicily - Temple of Concord

Impressions from Agrigento

If we talk about personal impressions of Agrigento, then the city itself looks very slum and poor - strange, sometimes scary, houses, very worn out, at least from the outside. Simple restaurants, poor people, in general, one of the most "worn" cities in our journey through Sicily.

On the other side. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is certainly impressive. To some extent, even more than the Acropolis in Athens - as you can come close to the monuments ... In general, it is very worth stopping by here, touching the history ... But you should not expect much from the city itself. And the car here, by the way, will not be very superfluous - the Valley of the Temples is located a few kilometers from the city center, you can walk, but it is tiring (stomp along the Valley of the Temples - we, personally, stomped over 15 km in Agrigento in a day! and this is with car!)

Valley of the Temples in Agrigento

The territory of ancient Akragas occupies a huge area, most of which has not yet been excavated. The Valley of the Temples proper is an archaeological zone south of the ancient city, where several monumental ancient Greek temples in the Doric style, built in the period of the 5th - 6th centuries BC, have been preserved. In the evenings, the temples are illuminated, creating a unique atmosphere. Some of the temples from the valley are surprisingly well preserved, which has no analogues outside of Greece. The very name "Valley of the Temples" is not entirely correct: there is no valley here, and the complex of temples is located on a steep hill.

• Opening hours: daily, including Sun and holidays, from 8:30 to 19:00.
• Entrance:
• East side with the temple of Zeus and the Greco-Roman quarter, except for the cave Fragapane and Antiquarium Paleocristiano) - 10 € , reduced 5 €
• The whole park-museum: 10 € , reduced 5 €
• Antiquarium Paleocristiano: €3, reduced €1.5
• Cave Fragapane: €3, reduced €1.5
• Night visit (from July 1 to September 5, Fri 19:30 - 21:30, on weekends and holidays 19:30 - 23:30) - 10 €
• In summer, the park can be very hot and there is almost no shade: bring water and a hat.

History of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento

The first to discover this historical monument, and also began to clear and carry out the first excavations of the temple complex, was the Italian archaeologist Domenico Antonio Lofaso Pietrasanta (1783 - 1863). This happened at the beginning of the 19th century. In 1809, he inherited the title of Duke of Serradifalco, and it turned out that the temple complex was on the territory of his possessions. True, after three years he had to part with his own rights in connection with the abolition of feudalism on. However, this time was enough for the archaeologist enthusiast to present his findings to the public.

The philosopher Empedocles (5th century BC), originally from ancient Akragas, said:

"The power and splendor of this city is such that its inhabitants build temples as if they were destined to live forever, and eat and drink as if they were destined to die the next day."

The poet Pindar called Akragas "the most beautiful city among mortals." However, in 406 BC the city was besieged and destroyed by the Carthaginians. Traces of their invasion are still visible in the temple of Juno.

During the era of the Roman Empire, the "Tomb of Theron" was built on this territory, which is believed to have been the necropolis of those who died during the Second Punic War (218 - 202 BC). After Byzantium recaptured the territory of Sicily from the tribes of the Goths, some of the temples were turned into Christian churches, such as the Temple of Concord. Catacombs and tombs have been preserved from the Byzantines.

Architecture in the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento:

In the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, there are 7 ancient temples, all in the Doric style:

• Temple of Juno, built in the 5th century BC and burned in 406 BC. the Carthaginians. In this temple, as a rule, weddings were celebrated.
• Temple of Concord (Concordia), whose name comes from the Latin inscription about the conclusion of peace, found nearby. The temple was built in the 5th century BC. Converted into a Christian church in the 6th century AD, it is one of the best preserved in the valley.
• Temple of Hercules, who was one of the most revered deities in the ancient city of Akragas. This is the oldest temple in the valley: destroyed by an earthquake, today it consists of eight columns.
• Temple of Olympian Zeus, built in 480 BC in honor of the victory of the city-state over Carthage. Differs from others in huge atlantes.
• Temple of Castor and Pollux. Despite the fact that only four columns remained from it, the temple has become a symbol of modern Agrigento.
• Temple of Vulcan, also built in the 5th century BC. It is believed to have been one of the most imposing structures in the valley; now, however, it is one of the most ruined.
• Temple of Asclepius located near the walls of the ancient city; pilgrims came here seeking to be cured of the disease.

The most well-preserved are two similar temples dedicated to the goddess Juno and the Temple of Concord. The last of the two temples was in a uniquely good condition due to the fact that it was turned into a Christian church in 597. And the area around it was used by Christians as catacombs.

Temple of Concord

Temple of Concord (Tempio della Concordia)- was divided into three halls: the central one, the portico in front of it and the opisthodom following it (a closed room in the western part of the temple). Stairs leading to the roof were made on the sides of the entrance to the central hall. The temple was decorated with white stucco and colored details. The twelve arches carved into the walls of the hall, as well as the graves dug in the floor, date back to the Middle Ages, when the zam was converted into a kind of Christian basilica with three naves. Despite the fact that the original appearance of the ancient Greek temple was thus distorted, the temple owes its exceptional safety to this restructuring. In 1788, during the restoration process, all elements of Christian decoration were removed, and the temple regained the appearance of a classical antique structure.

Other temples survive in a much more fragmentary state, having been destroyed by earthquakes and used as quarries.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Completely destroyed huge Temple of Olympian Zeus. Its construction began on the order of the tipan Heron in honor of his victory over the Phoenician troops at the Battle of Himera (480 BC). The temple, which had already begun to be used, was never completed due to the invasion of the Carthaginians. It is the largest Doric temple (56 m wide and 111 m long) known in the world. Stones from the ruined temple were used to build a pier in the city of Porto Empedocle.

Temples dedicated to Hephaestus, Hercules and Asclepius were also built on the sacred territory, which also includes the sanctuaries of Demeter and Persephone. On the stones of the sanctuary, you can still see traces of fire from arson by the Carthaginians in 406 BC.

Theron's grave (Tomba di Terone)

Location of monuments in the Valley of the Temples:

Old town of Agrigento

Museo Civico

Walking west along Via Empédocle you will come to Piazza Pirandello. Here is the city hall of Agrigento and the City Museum - Museo Civico. The museum contains paintings of the 14th - 18th centuries, sculptures from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. You can also see the memorial room of Luigi Pirandello.

Address: Cortile St Spirito, I-92100 Agrigento

Santa Maria dei Greci

Climbing up from the Museo Civico, through the narrow streets you can reach the church of Santa Maria dei Greci. It is a three-aisled building dating from the Norman period, built on the site of a Doric temple of Athena dating from 488 BC. You can go down the stairs to the space under the church, where the terraces and columns of the original temple have been preserved.

Cathedral of Agrigento (Duomo; Cattedrale di San Gerlando)

Agrigento Cathedral was built in the 11th century by the Normans on the highest point of the ancient Acropolis, as a replacement for the Temple of Zeus Atabyrios. The name comes from the word Atabyros, the highest mountain on the island of Rhodes, reflecting the Rhodian origins of the early settlers of ancient Akragas.

Unfortunately, already in 1244, as a result of a landslide, the temple was seriously damaged, which required its reconstruction. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the cathedral was enlarged, and in the 17th century it was remodeled in the Baroque style. On the south side, you can see double Norman windows. Next to the massive bell tower (1470), several steps lead to the main gate of the church.

Interior of the Cathedral in Agrigento

The interior of the church is a three-nave basilica, which was restored after the devastating earthquake of 1966. In the process of restoration, they tried to restore the medieval appearance of the nave. Only the splendid 15th-century wooden ceiling survives from later periods, although the choir stalls still retain a clear baroque decoration. The Gothic appearance has been preserved in the front part of the church - columns with octagonal bases and characteristic lancet arches. The elements of the facade and the bell tower belong to the Renaissance. On its south façade with lancet windows, there are signs of Spanish plateresque influences.

In the Gothic chapel to the right of the apse, there is a silver coffin containing the remains of the canonized Bishop Gerlando (1639). In the church, along the left nave, there are crypts of archbishops and noble citizens who lived in the 15th-17th centuries. Near the southern entrance is a glass urn containing the embalmed body of the holy martyr Felix, who died in the 3rd century.

To the west of the cathedral is the Episcopal Seminary, a 14th-century palace rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Diocesan Museum

The museum displays church treasures, including frescoes from the 15th and 15th centuries and sacred relics from the Byzantine era.

Address: Piazza Don Minzoni, I-92100 Agrigento, Italy

Going down from the Diocesan Museum in the direction of the station, you will come to the square Piazza Purgatorio, named after the Church of Purgatorio located here (Church of Purgatory, as it is dedicated to the souls in Purgatory) or St. Lawrence. The church is located on the site of an ancient crypt.

The interior of the temple is richly decorated with stucco, including eight plaster statues by Giacomo Serpotta (17th century) depicting allegories of the virtues: Love, Simplicity, Mercy, Prudence, Justice, Religion, Courage and Meekness. On the vault are plaster images of the souls of purgatory. There is a decorative dome on the ceiling, decorated with a large fresco in the form of an ascending whirlwind. One of the chapels of the church - the crucifixion chapel - was decorated in the 18th century; it is decorated with gold and wooden crucifixes of the 17th century. In the temple, two confessionals of the 17th century have been preserved - the oldest in Agrigento.

Church of the Holy Spirit

Walking down the street Via Fodera you will come to the former Cistercian monastery of the Holy Spirit (Santo Spirito). The façade of the church (dating from around 1260) retains the original Gothic lancet gate and rose window, whose apex rests on a baroque pediment. For its grandiose architectural arrays dominating the eastern part of the city, it was called Bataranni, which means "big abbey" in the local dialect.

The walls of the church are decorated on the sides with plaster reliefs by the famous master Giacomo Serpotta (1695), which depict scenes from the childhood of Jesus. In a niche made in the left wall of the nave, a marble statue of the Virgin and Child (15th century) is placed. Pay attention to the bowl with holy water - it dates from the 5th century.

To the right of the church, the cloister, the chapter house and the refectory, which now houses the municipal library, have been preserved.

Church of San Biagio

If you go from Piazza Marconi (opposite Agrigento train station) along Viale della Vittoria to the southeast, you will reach the eastern edge of the Rupe Atenea cliff (351 m above sea level, with beautiful panoramic views) and the church of Chiesa di San Biadgio. This is a small church built in the 12th century during the Norman period from stones left over from ancient buildings. The church is located on the site of the Temple of Demeter, which was built around 480 - 460 BC. The foundation and part of the northern wall can be seen behind the church apse. It is also worth paying attention to two round altars in the north of the building, which supposedly served as sacred graves. Ritual accessories were preserved inside them, which made it possible to identify the sanctuary:

Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone

You can go down the stairs to the stone sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone (Santuario Rupestre di Demetra), hollowed out in a steep mountainside Rupe Atenea. This is the oldest place of worship in Agrigento, dating back to the 7th century BC, even before the Greek period. The sanctuary is a narrow room in the rock, behind which there are two caves. Springs flow in the caves, the water from which fills several reservoirs in the courtyard. The discovery of ritual sacrificial accessories made it possible to confidently attribute the sanctuary to the cult of the goddess Demeter and her daughter.

Almond Blossom Festival

The Almond Blossom Festival is held annually in the first half of February. These are folk festivals, with songs, dances, costumes and fireworks.

Map of the city of Agrigento

Around Agrigento

Realmonte - Eraclea Minoa - Sciacca - Caltabellotta - Sambuca

The route goes along the western coast of Sicily, along the main road 115 Agrigento-Trapani. The high road offers excellent views of the beaches and cliffs. Snow-white cliffs in the area are especially popular with tourists. Realmonte And Eraclea Minoa.

Eraclea Minoa

For lovers of history, the most interesting point will be the town Eraclea Minoa, founded at the beginning of the 6th century BC. The ancient residential area is located on a small plateau rising from the sea. Among the ancient ruins, you can see the remains of a theater, a residential building and part of an ancient road. A small museum next to the archaeological site contains the most important finds from the Greco-Roman period. Located nearby big beach with fine sand and lush cedar forest. Continuing along road 115 you will reach Sciacca.

Sciacca

Sciacca remarkable for its monuments of the Middle Ages and the Baroque era, among which the cathedral of the 17th century stands out in particular. Also worth seeing is the church of St. Margaret (14th century), the remains of the count's castle (14th century). The city has an ancient spa resort, famous for its serene waters. At the top of Monte Kronio is the sanctuary of St. Calogero (santuario di S. Calogero).

From here, the road goes deep into Sicily, in the direction of Caltabellotta and Sambuca di Sicilia.

Caltabellotta

Caltabellotta located almost on top of the mountain at an altitude of almost 700 meters. A number of artistic and monumental historical monuments are worth seeing here: the remains of a Norman castle, burial places (tombe sicane), the Chiesa Madre church (built by Count Ruggiero). From here one of the best views of Sicily opens.

Sambuca di Sicilia

Sambuca di Sicilia was founded by the Arabs. The ruins of the castle of Emir Zabut have been preserved here. The city has preserved an interesting complex of alleys of the Saracens. On the nearby mountain of monte Adranone (about 900 m above sea level), the ruins of a fortress from the 4th century BC have been preserved. One of the most beautiful beaches in the vicinity - Porto Palo and Lido Fiore.

On the territory of Realmonte preserved ancient roman villa, dating from the 1st century BC.

Acque Calde- a popular resort with thermal springs.

Pelagie Islands - Lampedusa and Linosa

This route leads from Agrigento to the Pelagie Islands of Lampedusa, Linosa and Lampione, located in the African Sea southwest of Sicily. On the islands you can admire picturesque views of nature, rocky islands, idyllic beaches contrasting with the azure sea. You can get to the islands from April to November. The Pelagic Islands are connected to the port Empedocle by Siremar ferries (journey time - 7 hours), and in July and August there are additional boats (3.5 hours).

• Lampedusa- the largest of the Pelagie Islands, it even has its own airport, where regular flights are made from the airport Punta Raisi (Palermo). There are many hotels on the island, it is especially suitable for diving enthusiasts.
• linosa- a small island of volcanic origin, with rich marine life, where many diving enthusiasts come throughout the year.
• Lampione- a small uninhabited rock with picturesque nature.

Raffadali - S. Angelo Muxaro

This itinerary will take you from Agrigento deep into Sicily to two historical centers that are different from the rest of the island.

Raffadali, from Arabic Rahl Faddal, which means "Beautiful House". Raffadali was founded by the Arabs, but on a site inhabited since the prehistoric period. This town is located a few kilometers north of Agrigento, at the foot of Monte Guastella, where prehistoric burials in caves and the ruins of an ancient castle of the 11th century have been preserved. Here you can see ancient Roman sarcophagi (3rd century). In the church of Chiesa Madre, an elegant bas-relief depicting the abduction of Proserfina has been preserved. The church library contains some archaeological finds from different eras.

How to get to Agrigento

Agrigento is considered a beautiful historic town located on the southwestern coast of Sicily. The bulk of tourists are attracted to Agrigento by the opportunity to see the so-called "Valley of the Temples", where many ancient objects and monuments have been preserved. Agrigento is considered a popular excursion destination from Palermo and Catania.

You can get to Agrigento from any Sicilian town, but most often, tourists come here from Palermo or Catania, two major cities on the island that have international airports arrival. Both Palermo and Catania can be reached from Russia by air. There are direct flights to Palermo, flights to Catania with transfers in Rome or Milan. Flight schedules can be found on search engines Aviasales , Buruki and others. You can also arrive in Sicily by ferry from mainland Italy.

Palermo – Agrigento

The distance between Palermo and Agrigento is about 130 km in a straight line. There are several ways to get from Palermo to Agrigento: public transport (buses, trains), or car rental. Between the cities there is a daily train service with a frequency of 1-2 times per hour throughout the day. Travel time from Palermo will be about 2 hours, and the fare is 10-11 euros one way. You can check the schedule and buy tickets online at the railway service .

Around the same time, you can also get there by regular bus. Buses leave every 2 hours throughout the day. The first bus leaves at 8.15, the last - at 18.00. The fare is 9 euros one way. The departure station in Palermo is Pizzetta Cairoli, the arrival station in Agrigento is Piazzetta Rosselli.

In order to travel around Sicily at your own pace and rhythm, you can rent a car in Palermo. Rental offices can be found both in the city itself and at the airport of arrival. To register a car for rent, you will need a passport, an international driver's license, a bank card to pay for services. You can pre-book the desired class of car on special services , , and others. Palermo and Agrigento are connected by highways SS121 and SS189. Estimated travel time is 2 hours.

Herbert Frank/View of the Valley of the Temples

Catania - Agrigento

The distance between Catania and Agrigento is 160 km. From one locality the other can also be reached by public transport or rented car. However, there are only regional trains between Catania and Agrigento, so the travel time will be about 4 hours. Trains depart 1 time in the morning, several times in the afternoon and twice in the evening. The last train leaves at 17.32. The fare varies from 12 to 20 euros one way. You can check the schedule and buy tickets online at the railway service .

As for buses, they run more often, almost every hour. Transportation is carried out bus company SAIS TRASPORTI. The fare is 13.4 euros one way and 22 euros round trip.

Much it will be faster to get there by car. Catania and Agrigento are connected by highways A19 and SS640. Travel time will be approximately 2 hours. You can rent a car both in Catania itself and at the airport of arrival. This option is quite popular among tourists traveling in Sicily. You can book the desired class of car in advance (before departure) at specialized services , , and others. Advance booking is especially important in the summer, when the influx of tourists to the island increases dramatically.

Darold Massaro/Near Agrigento

Agrigento Hotels

Agrigento is far removed from the others tourist centers Sicily, so tourists who come for sightseeing often stay in Agrigento longer than 1 day. All conditions are created for this in Agrigento, and there is an opportunity to stay in places of accommodation for every taste. The most popular options are bed and breakfast hotels. Apartments, holiday homes, guest houses and, of course, standard hotels of various star ratings are also in demand. High ratings from tourists on Booking.com received the following accommodations in Agrigento:

Hotel Agrigento Home – the hotel is located in the city center and offers its guests rooms of various sizes, including family-type rooms. There is free parking, a bar and free Wi-Fi on site. Breakfasts are paid extra. The rooms are studio style and have a dedicated kitchen area;

La Passeggiata di Girgenti This bed and breakfast is conveniently located. You can stay in rooms of different sizes, each room has a coffee/tea maker. Breakfasts are included in the price. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Free public parking is available nearby;

Le Maioliche – the hotel is located near the city center, as well as the railway and bus stations. It offers a relaxing terrace, parking and roomy rooms. Breakfasts are included in the price. The front desk provides tour desk and luggage storage services. WiFi is provided free of charge;

La Terrazza di Carolina – the hotel is located near the center and can offer its guests a terrace for relaxation, family rooms, free Wi-Fi, parking. Some rooms have a balcony overlooking the historic centre. Breakfasts are included in the price. Wi-Fi is available in the hotel rooms for free;

B&B Sorahnia – Design House – the hotel has a picturesque location, from the windows of the rooms overlooking the garden and mountains. Guests can stay in rooms of various sizes, some rooms have a terrace. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Free private parking is also available.

Allie_Caulfield/Nature around Agrigento

Attractions Agrigento

Agrigento itself has a compact historical center, in which interest, above all, is Cathedral cities and Church of Santa Maria dei Greci. Also a curious object is the local Archaeological Museum. But the main attraction, for which they go to Agrigento from all over the island, is the so-called Valley of the Temples located in the vicinity of the city.

The Valley of the Temples is an open-air archaeological museum. Here, in fairly good condition, ancient Greek temples of Juno-Lacinia And Concordia, as well as some other objects.

Eduardo M./Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

The park-museum is open to visitors every day, in summer the opening hours of the park are extended so that tourists can admire the sights at sunset. You can buy tickets online or at the box office, but please note that during the "high season" there are queues at the entrance to the park due to the popularity of this place.

If you want to combine sightseeing with swimming in the sea, then you should keep in mind that Agrigento itself is not on the coast, but a few kilometers from it. So, the nearest beach is located in the town San Leone, here the beach is sandy, and the shore is gently sloping. If you want to see more picturesque places, then go to the town Scala dei Turci where the rocky shores go straight into the sea.

Herbert Frank/Valley of the Temples, Agrigento