Explore the Valley Of Temples in Agrigento Sicily

Explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento, Sicily

On our Stay in Sciacca, SicilyWe couldn’t pass up a day-trip to explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento.  The Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples(Valle dei Templi), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest archeological sites in the entire world.

You can also find out more about the following: Valley of TemplesIn reality, the rocks near the ancient Akragas are not in a canyon but on a rocky plateau.  Akragas was one of the most important Greek colonial cities in Sicily.  Agrigentum became its name after it was conquered by Romans.  

The Doric temples at this impressive archeological sight were built towards the end of the 6th century BC.  It was amazing to see such amazing Greek ruins. Sicily, Italy: A visit to Sicily.

How To Get To The Valley Of Temples

We visited the Valley of Temples The following is a list of the most recent and relevant articles. Enjoying a stay in Sciacca, a seaside town.  It was easy to find and the drive was only about an hour.  As we left the highway, the ruins were visible high up on the hills.

There were actually two different entrances.  Finding parking proved to be a bit more difficult but we found a large, paid parking lot close to the west entrance.

You can walk about 3km from Agrigento to the city. Valley of Temples.  This option did add to the long walk around this vast site.  The town #1 bus made stops at both the west entrance and the Archaeological Museum.  Bus #2 ran less often to the east entrance.  You could also take a taxi. 

Most places in Sicily offer day trips to the Valley of Temples.  We found them on Our stay in PalermoYou can also find out more about the following: Catania:.  Tours also added other popular attractions like the mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale and the The Scala dei Turchi.

We then wandered around the shopping area, and planned a circuitous route back to our parking lot.  We were eager to explore the area. Valley of Temples in Agrigento.

Entering The West Gate

We entered through Gate V, which is the entrance to the site. “Sacred Gate”The former city Akragas.  It was a great example of military architectural style for that period.  The gate was built against the wall.  This created a funnel that helped in the defence of the town.

We entered the part that was dedicated Demeter and Persephone, her daughter (or Kore).  These goddesses were associated with earth fertility and the agricultural cycle (the Chthonic Deities).  We were greeted by the Temple of the Dioscuri, also known as Castor and Pollux.  In the ruins, only four of the original thirty-four columns remain.  This became the symbol for the city of Agrigento.

We walked to the edge of the garden and looked out at the garden.  We did not pay the nominal fee to enter this part of site.  Kolymbetra has five distinct zones of vegetation.  Over the garden, we could see the city of Agrigento.   

We passed the remains of what used to be the Sanctuary of Chthonic Gods – a vast complex of altars, small buildings, and other structures. 

We were excited to explore the area after being teased at the entrance. Valley of Temples in Agrigento.

The Temple of Hercules drew Us Further into The Site

We found Hercules’ Temple.  Only 8 of the 38 original Doric columns were left.  In the 20th century, the columns were reconstructed from original components discovered in the area.  We learned that a bronze statue depicting the hero Hercules originally adorned the temple. 

We were inspired by our visit to the Temple of Heracles and wanted to explore more. Valley of Temples in Agrigento even more. 

The stunning Temple of Concordia at the Valley Of Temples in Agrigento

We continued to walk along the Via Sacra.  We were amazed to see the Temple of Concordia.  

This temple dates back to the 5th century. It was converted into a holy building in the sixth century.  There is no certainty as to the god it was built for.  The name “Concordia”It is derived from a Latin inscription discovered in the vicinity of a temple.

It is the best-preserved temple on this site. It is, along with the Parthenon the best preserved Doric Temple in the world.  We walked all around the temple and admired it from every angle.

On one side, we found the Statue Icarus lying down on its side. The statue represents the fall of Icarus.  He disobeyed, flew too close, burned his wax wings, and fell into the Mediterranean.  This was one of most popular places for selfies. Valley of Temples. 

It was worth visiting the Temple of Concordia to explore it. Valley of Temples in Agrigento.

Walking along the Roman Temple Wall to the Temple of Juno

We continued along the Via Sacra, slowly passing by the Roman Temple Wall.  We were a little confused when we saw two statues with no heads along the wall.

We continued on and saw the Temple of Juno.  The wall looked as if it had recesses or caves in the weathered stone.  

As we approached, we saw the Temple of Juno on a hill.  As we approached the highway, we saw this sight.  This temple was dedicated originally to the Greek goddess Hera, and later to Roman goddess Juno.  

David climbed to the top of the hill while I walked the other way and climbed the steps.  We reached the summit, and had a breathtaking view of what remained of this site.  

From this high vantage point, we could see all the way back to the Temple of Concordia.  On the other side, we could see Agrigento.  

We walked more than 2 hours to get here by the west entrance.  We turned around and headed home.  We had not yet finished exploring the area. Valley of Temples in Agrigento.

Finishing up in the Ruins of the Temple Of Zeus

We took the path that took us by the huge pile of ruins of the former Temple of Olympian Zeus.  This was built originally to thank Zeus, the god of victory, for the Agrigentines’ victory over the Carthaginians 480 BC.  

The Temple of Zeus was the largest Doric Temple ever built.  The temple had huge statues (7.5 m high) called Telamons and Atlantes between the columns.  The temple is only fragments scattered around the site.  A covered display area held a few preserved items.

We were sure the Temple of Zeus had once been a magnificent place.  It was a sad reminder of how time can destroy a building.  It was a sobering end to our journey to explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento.

Agrigento Valley of Temples: Tips for your Visit

When we planned our trip, there were a couple of things we wished we had known. Valley of Temples.  These tips will hopefully help you prepare for a trip.

Understanding the Ticket Options

Tickets could be purchased in advance.  We drove and did not know when we would arrive or how long to stay.  We weren’t prepared to buy tickets ahead of time.  Luckily, there was no wait when we arrived right after opening.

We learned we could buy tickets for different activities and groups. You could also buy a ticket that included a tour guide.  During this visit, we only explored the main area of the Valley of Temples.

Little Shade

When we visited, it was very hot and sunny with little shade.  

Bring water and a hat to cool down.

Plan Your Entrance – East Or West

The park is divided in two zones.  Parking is available at both entrances.  When we parked in one end, we had to walk a full circle to get back to the car.  This doubles your walking.

Large Area To Walking

It was a very long walk around the Valley of Temples We walked mostly uphill when we walked in from the West entry.  Wear good walking shoes, and be sure you are able to walk uphill. 

We saw taxis outside, and a shuttle that took people to the two entrances.  When we reached the Temple of Juno we understood that transportation was provided for people so they didn’t have to complete the route and could return to cars parked in the other entrance.  This could mean that there would be no uphill trek!  

Plan A Break

You can also bring a picnic.  We also saw food stands at the parking entry.  There were also two food stalls about halfway along the Via Sacra.  

We got food to go from the Cafe Ristoro Acrosoli.  We saw signs for Casa Barbadoro Diodoros near the Temple of Concordia.  This restaurant provided a variety of wine and food experiences to discover Diodoros’ products.  The Park offered gourmet tastings and informative narrations by local experts. 

Agrigento Valley Of Temples, Sicily: A Great Visit

We were glad we planned to take a day trip and explore the Valley of Temples in Agrigento.  When we first arrived in Agrigento We planned our trip to SicilyWe thought about staying in Agrigento.  But we chose A stay in SciaccaBy the sea.  But a trip to the sea is a must.  Valley of TemplesWe did not want to miss it.

We enjoyed exploring the ancient ruins.  We sadly missed the opportunity to see the ruins. Regional Archaeological Museum “Pietro Griffo” in Agrigento.  This was regarded as one of the best and most visited archaeological museums on Sicily.  This would be a place to visit again in the future, as it has so much to offer.

After we left the Valley of TemplesWe drove along the coast as we made our way Sciacca.  It was the perfect ending to our day. Visit Sicily.

Did you visit the Valley of Temples at Agrigento?  Did you visit Agrigento’s museum and other ruins?

Copyright Notice All material on this travel blog site is the sole property of RetiredAndTravelling.  This includes blog pages, posts, designs, and all photos, whether watermarked or unwatermarked. Copyright will be a violation if you use any materials from this website without written consent.