Location: Agrigento
Top Things to do in Agrigento
The 6 Best Sacred & Religious Sites in Agrigento, Sicily
Though Agrigento is a modern city of about 60,000 on Sicily’s southwest coast, the majority of visitors come to experience the past just outside of town. At the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi), citizens of the then-major Greek colony of Akragras began building seven Doric style holy monuments in the sixth century BC. The nearby Archaeological Museum helps put everything into context. Agrigento also has some fascinating sights in its old town, like the medieval Norman cathedral.
Restaurants in Agrigento
1. Valle dei Templi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,409 reviews
This region is one of the most important archeological sites in the world with many great temples such as Hera (Juno,) Lacinia, Concordia, Heracles (Hercules) and Olympian Zeus (Jupiter,) all dramatically perched along a long rocky scarp.
Reviewed By alikarim - Dallas, United States
This is an extremely well preserved set of ancient Greek temples that you can visit over a mile long walk. Best thing to do is to park yoru car at the bottom of the valley; at the exit of the site. Then take a local taxi (3 Euros/person) to the top of the site, the main entrance, where fro about an entrance fee of $13.50; you can start at the top temple and walk leisurely down to the bottom sites, exploding multiple temples and ruins in great shape. Lots of tourists here, but well worth the visit. It will take several hours to complete this, so plan for a min half day here. A must do in Sicily.
2. Tempio di Ercole
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 572 reviews
Temporarily Closed until April 3, 2020 Built to honor the god Hercules in the early 6th century, this is Agrigento's oldest temple that was constructed over a structure of 38 columns, of which only eight are still standing.
Reviewed By 27Ruben27 - San Juan, Caribbean
Ruins of Tempio di Ercole located in Valley of the Temples, Agrigento, Italy. Amazing ruins all located in the same site. A must in your visit to Agrigento.
3. Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 271 reviews
Reviewed By niki101 - London, United Kingdom
The history of the building starts in the 5th century BC when on the same site was built a Greek temple dedicated to Athena. It was pretty emotional to see the survived columns from the Greek temple incorporated into the walls through the glass floor, and even to touch them in the underground tunnel in the flower-filled courtyard. At one point, during the Norman times, the church became the cathedral of the city, while at the same time the Normans were building San Gerlando’s Cathedral not far away. The frescoes go back to 15th century and show images of Mary’s life. Despite being damaged they are still beautiful. A young woman was there to give me some information about the church in English. She also explained about the entrances: the current entrance of the church is on the west side but as a temple, the entrance was on the east side. Thank you! To reach the church was an amazing experience itself. Tucked away in the old top part of Agrigento, we had to stroll in the charming maze of narrow streets with hundred steep steps and courtyards. I didn’t mind to get lost around for hours. During our visit, meeting some of the locals was a rare event but it was a great joy walking among some of their old charming houses and colourful streets. After seeing so much rubbish everywhere in Agrigento, people here really deserve some respect for trying to keep their streets clean and fresh. The church has opening hours so I had to return to be able to visit. Enjoy it!
4. Santuario di San Calogero
5. Chiesa San Nicola
6. Abbazia di Santo Spirito
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 147 reviews
Reviewed By Glynis98 - Canterbury, United Kingdom
Shown around by a nun who loved the place and wanted to share it. You can’t just wander in. They sell sweets as well that they make on site. It is possible to stay in the convent.
