The Valley of the Temples in Sicily

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The Valley of the Temples in Sicily

The ancient Akragas was founded in 581 b.C., by the colons coming from Gela and Rodi. It was surrounded by massive walls, leading to the top where the acropolis was built (which is the place where the modern city of Agrigento lies). The southern border of the ancient town was made up of two hills. On the lower hill were raised up in the V century b.C. the sacred buildings which constitute the Valley of Temples. This site of extraordinary beauty and charm is particularly mystical if visited in the early morning or at dusk, when the temples turn red.
Numerous buses take from the train station of Agrigento to the car park dividing the two sections of the site. Consider that an entire day is necessary to visit the ruins and the archaeological museum. In the eastern zone stands the Temple of Hercule, one of the most visited in Akragas, probably dating from the end of the VI century b. C. Close to it lies the Temple of Concorde (430 b.C.), which is the most complete and best preserved in the world. Proceeding along the path of the ancient walls you will meet the Temple of Juno (of the same age of the Temple of Concorde), situated on the ledge of the spur where the temples were built.
These temples are lit, therefore they can be also visited at night (October-March: 21:00-23:30; April-September: 21:30-23:30), and it is not difficult to figure out how magic this experience can be.
In the west part lies the Temple of Jupiter, the biggest Doric temple, dating back to 480 b.C. Further on lies the Sanctuary dedicated to the goddesses Demetria and Kore (VI-V century b.C). and after that stands the Temple of Castore and Polluce, rebuilt in 1832 with original materials of the site.
A bit distant from here there are also other ruins, which can be reached by walk or by car. Here stand the Temple of Esculapio (V century b.C), the Roman tomb of Terone (75 b.C) and the Norman church of San Biagio, built on the ruins of the Temple of Demetra, the most ancient sacred place of Agrigento (VII sec. b.C.).

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The Valley of the Temples, Agrigento, National Archaeological Museum and Antiquarium Collina dei Templi "Casa Barbadoro" and Casa "Paci"
Opening hours:
East zone – the Hill of the Temples (Giunone, Concordia and Ercole)
All days: 08:30-19:00
West zone – Zeus Temple, Sanctuary of the ctonie Goddesses and Tempio of the Dioscuri
All days: 09:00-19:00
Regional archaeological museum San Nicola

Mon to Sat. .: 09:00-19:00
Sunday, Monday and bank holidays: 09:00-13:00
Antiquarium Collina dei Templi "Casa Barbadoro" and Casa "Paci"
Via Sacra - Agrigento
(for info and reservations please contact: 092 24 97 221)
Tickets:
Valley of the Temples
Full rate ticket: € 8,00 Reduced ticket € 4,00
National Archaeological Museum
Full rate ticket: € 6,00 Reduced ticket: € 3,00
Cumulative ticket (Valley of the Temples + Museum)
Full rate ticket: € 10,00 Reduced ticket: € 5,00
Free admission for all European Union citizens under 18 and over 65, teachers and students of the faculty of architecture, art and humanities, teachers and students of the Academy of Fine Arts, employees of the Ministry of Culture and Environment.
Reduced ticket (50%) for:
European Union citizens between 18-25
Teachers of public and private schools.

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Guided visit of the Hill:

Evening opening from 2nd August to 13th September 2009
Opening hours:
All days: 20:00-21:30 pm
Full rate ticket: € 8,00
Free admission for young people under 18.
For info:
- Agrigento tourist office: tel.: 0922 20 454
- http://www.lavalledeitempli.it/