The famous Valley Of The Temples
Garden of Kolimbethra &
Archaeological Museum
One of Sicily’s most famous historical attractions is without a doubt the Valley of the Temples, just outside Agrigento.
The
Valley of the Temples, included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage
sites since 1997, includes the ruins of seven temples, dating back to
the 5th century BC. The ruins are one of the most impressive lifelines
back to the ancient Greek civilization existing today and the location
would be worth a visit for the views alone.
This splendid archaeological park consists of eight temples (and various other remains) built between about 510 BC and 430 BC: the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Heracles, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Hephaestos, the Temple of Demeter, and the Temple of Asclepius (the God of Medicine).
As you stroll among the ruins, in one direction you see the shimmering blue of the Mediterranean Sea, and in the other, the city of Agrigento nestled into the green, rolling hills.
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For professional photographers or just tourists in search of unique snapshots, the ruins and the art provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable day.
The famous breathtaking “VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES” in Agrigento is just 10mins drive from our villa. Our guest have always come back fascinated by the beauty of ancient history left behind still intact after so long, with its large archaeological site and acient Greek temples, including the Temple of Concord.
The Garden Of Kolimbethra
A true archaeological and agricultural jewel in the Valley of the Temples is the Garden of Kolimbethra, an extraordinary place for the magical blend of nature and the wealth of archaeological finds which are still being discovered today.
It occupies an area of approximately five hectares inside the Valley of the Temples, within tuff walls making up its natural perimeter, standing between Tempio di Castore e Polluce and Tempio di Vulcano. Many unique plant species grow here, some of which are no longer cultivated today, outside the property.
The origins of the Garden date back to the period when the Greeks colonised Sicily (500 B.C.) and its history is linked to the development of the ancient city of Akragas which once stood on the plateau of the Atenea cliff.
Thanks to this new system of channels, the Greeks of Akragas were able to transform the arid Sicilian earth into a flourishing garden rich with Mediterranean plants. The ancient underground works (or Feace aqueducts), which still bubble with clear water used for irrigation, can still be visited today in the Valley of Temples and date back to the 5th century
Archaeological Museum Of Agrigento
The
Regional Archaeological Museum “Pietro Griffo” in Agrigento is certainly
one of the most important and visited archaeological museums in Sicily.
The archaeological museum displays over 5688 artefacts that,
arranged both in a chronological and topographical order, illustrate
the history of the Agrigentan territory from prehistoric times to the
end of the Greek- Roman period.
The museum consists of 18
rooms with collections of vases, Architectural sculptures,
Archaeological artefacts, Original Telamon statue from the Temple of
Olympian Zeus, Archaeological finds from the nearby Hellenistic and
Roman living area, Inscriptions, Coins of ancient Agrigento & much
more.
The rooms are divided into two different, but
complimentary, sections. In each room there are bilingual (English and
Italian) panels that guide visitors and give information on the items
displayed in the show cases.