Valley of the Temples – Stroll among olive trees and Greek temples

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Last Updated on 16 July 2024

Table of Contents

Introduction

Welcome to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, one of the largest archaeological areas in Europe , with the primacy that belongs to Selinunte . It is certainly also one of the most beautiful places in the world, able to make your heart beat faster. We are inside the ancient Greek city of Akragas, surrounded by greenery, among olive trees, almond trees, prickly pears, carob trees and the sea in the background . “The most beautiful city of all that are a hotel for men”, as the Greek poet Pindar defined it.

The Story

It was founded in 580 BC by settlers from Gela and Rhodes who protected it with a 12 kilometer long wall. Just think that more than 200,000 inhabitants lived here and the city was accessible from 9 different doorsthe. The city was destroyed by the Carthaginians in 406 BC only to be conquered by the Romans in 210 BC who called it Agrigentum and built new buildings. Over time it was then abandoned and even the temples were used as building material. Here is what the ancient city of Akragas must have looked like in the time of the Greeks:

Tip from Topsecretsicily

You can book an original guided sunset tour of the Valley of the Temples with priority admission and/or a fantastic Sicilian picnic inside the archaeological park, shaded by orange groves. The basket will contain: Focaccia with Mortadella, Burrata and Pistachio Pesto; Rizzuola with Bolognese ragout; Mixed salad; Seasonal fruit; Cannolo with ricotta cream; Water and a bottle of wine.

What to see and how to get to the Valley of the Temples

There are so many things to see, here there are in fact 12 temples and 3 sanctuaries , not to mention the necropolis, the churches, the Hellenistic-Roman quarter, the archaeological museum and the Kolymbethra garden. To see everything it will take at least a day and energy.

Absolutely avoid going in the summer or at least avoid the hottest hours , because here it’s like being in Africa and the heat is terrible. Bring comfortable shoes and fresh water, although there are still refreshment points in the park. Given the high temperatures, the valley of the temples in summer is still open until 11pm .

Sanctuary of the divinities, Valley of the Temples, Agrigento.

Temple of Concordia, Valley of the Temples, Agrigento. — Temple of Concord

Interactive map of the Valley of the Temples – Points of interest in purple

Typical dishes of the area

Here you find the typical products of the province of Agrigento , here instead i typical Sicilian dishes.

As written above you can also book a fantastic Sicilian picnic inside the archaeological park, in the shade of the orange groves. The basket will contain: Focaccia with Mortadella, Burrata and Pistachio Pesto; Rizzuola with Bolognese ragout; Mixed salad; Seasonal fruit; Cannolo with ricotta cream; Water and a bottle of wine.