There are no words more suitable than those expressed by Goethe in one of his trips to describe this charming Sicilian town: "Never seen in my entire life, a glorious spring morning as the rising of the sun ... From the window we see the vast and gentle slope throughout the ancient city of gardens and vineyards, just beneath the lush green divined some trace of the great and populous districts of the cities of the past. Only at the southern slope of this green and flowery rises the Temple of Concord, east of the few remains of the Temple of Juno, but from the eye does not see the ruins of other temples that runs on the south towards the sea. "
Agrigento has been before this other names, According to the various peoples who have dominated. In fact, the birth of the city dates back around 580 BC, when a group of inhabitants of Gela, founded the city of Akragas. However, the city reached its peak under the tyrant Theron in 488 BC In 210 BC Akragas was conquered by the Romans who changed the name to AgrigentumAnd subsequently, with the fall of the Roman Empire the city was first besieged by the Byzantines and then by the Arabs who built a new town higher up, just where there is now, giving it the name of Girgenti. In 1807 the city was conquered by the Normans and below them was another great period of prosperity.The crown jewel of the city is undoubtedly the wonderful and beautiful valley of the temples facing in all its grandeur in front of a beautiful blue sea.
The valley of the temples dates back to the Greeks, and since 1997 has been declared World Heritage, UNESCO.
The valley of the temples is formed from the remains of 7 temples in Doric style, the most impressive and what is currently in good condition is more the Temple of Concord, Built in the fifth century and transformed into a holy temple in the sixth century AD Of Temple of Castor have been only four columns, and its symbol is the temple of the city.
Then there are the Temple of Hera Lacinia, Also built in the fifth century dedicated to the homonymous Greek goddess, there, we celebrated the wedding, that of Heracles of which have been only eight columns, the Temple of Jupiter characterized by the presence of huge statues of the human form, and finally there are the remains of Temple of Asclepius and Volcano.
Also located in the valley of the temples also Tomb of Theron, A large monument in the shape of a pyramid, created perhaps to remember the fallen of the Second Punic War.
In addition to this fascinating scenario, the city is rich in cultural events, music, fashion, has many other architectural treasures and more.
To quote just some of the churches that are found there, we can not help but talk about the beautiful Church of St. Calogero, Dedicated precisely eponymous saint venerated particularly in the area, dating back to 500 and is located near the Avenue of Victory, a long avenue lined with a breathtaking view.
Then also the very beautiful Cathedral of St. Gerlando, Patron of the city, dating back to the Normans, and was restored after the landslide of 1966, the Church of St. Mary of the Greeks, Which was built on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Athena, and the Abbey of the Holy Spirit located in the old town, flanked by a convent of Benedictine nuns.
Speaking of Agrigento, it is impossible not to mention that this charming Sicilian city has given birth to 2 celebrities, the philosopher Empedocles born in the fifth century. B.C. and then the great playwright and novelist, known throughout the world, Pirandello.
Visitors to Agrigento in the period of January February can not help but notice the many almond trees that form the characteristic white clouds on green lawns, in fact, is dedicated to the almond trees in bloom a festival of the city, in mid-February, that draws people from all over the world.
For tourists there are many opportunities to stay in town and the promenade that takes the name of St. Leo, and is a meeting place for young people and not only rich in characteristic stands on the sea, especially on summer evenings host bands and entertainment.
Many restaurants and eateries that will delight you with local delicacies, especially fish.
For shoppers, the more excellent way is the famous Via Atenea, Who besides being one of the streets of Old Town, it is full of shops is a destination for shopping of all kinds.
So if you want to combine relaxation and cultural tour of the sea to be impressed and enchanted you just need to go a few days in this beautiful capital of Sicily.
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