Page 122 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

120  SICIL Y AREA B Y AREA

Valle dei Templi

Agrigento was founded in 581 BC by colonists
from Gela, who named the town Akragas. Yet
only a century later the population had grown
to 200,000, and the Greek poet Pindar described
it as “the fairest city inhabited by mortals”. It was
ruled briefly by the Carthaginians. The Valley of
the Temples is the site of the main temples
(dedicated to Olympian Zeus, Heracles, Concord
and Hera), minor shrines (Sanctuary . Museo Archeologico
of the Chthonic Divinities) and the The Archaeological Museum was opened
to the public in 1967. The 13 rooms display
Archaeological Museum. objects ranging from prehistoric times to the
early Christian period, including pieces from
the Classical era.
Temple of Hephaistos
(5th century BC)

Temple of Olympian
Zeus (5th century BC)
Only fragmentary ruins
remain of this temple,
except for this Telamon,
now on display in the
Museo Archeologico.

Entrance

Temple of Heracles (6th century BC)
These eight columns, put back in place in 1924,
belonged to the oldest temple dedicated to the
Temple of Castor and Pollux (5th century BC) hero worshipped by both the Greeks and the
The four surviving columns, a symbol of the Valley Romans (as Hercules). The archaic Doric
of the Temples, were restored in the 19th century. structure has an elongated rectangle plan.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p203 and pp213–14

120-121_EW_Sicily.indd 120 11/3/16 2:07 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm