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Agrigento (Akragas) 78 pictures The city rises on the slopes of a mountain plateau bounded by the basins of the Sant'Anna River (the ancient Hypsas) and the San Biagio River (the ancient Akragas), in an evocative natural setting overlooking the panoramic Valley of the Temples and with the southern coast of the island visible in the distance. It is believed to have been founded by farmers coming from the Greek islands helped by inhabitants of nearby Gela (sixth century B.C.). In a short time Akragas grew in riches and power, under the tyrant Theron it won a battle at Himera (fifth century B.C.) against a much larger Carthaginian army. The Carthaginians had their revenge at the end of the century; the city gave into hunger after a long siege, and was taken and laid waste. Rebuilt and repopulated by Timoleon, it was a bone of contention between Romans and Carthaginians until the former took firm possession of it, in 210 B.C. Under Roman protection Agrigentum enjoyed a period of calm and prosperity. Relentless decadence set in under the Byzantines. Having become an Arab possession in the first half of the ninth century, it changed its name to Girgenti, which it retained until 1927 when its present name was introduced. In the Swabian period it followed the fortunes of Palermo; in the fourteenth century it was subjected by the powerful house of Chiaramonte, from which it got free only at the end of the century. Under the Aragonese it enjoyed customs exemptions which favoured its already prosperous commercial development. In the second half of the nineteenth century, its inhabitants distinguished themselves in the struggle for freedom from the Bourbon yoke. Outstanding people who were born at Agrigento include the philosopher Empedocles (fifth century B.C.) and the playwright Luigi Pirandello (1867-1936). With its favourable climate, mild even at the height of the cold season, and its exceptionally fine natural setting and views, it is one of the most popular tourist resorts on Sicily, and an internationally celebrated archaeological, architectural and artistic centre. Temple of Castor and Pollux The temple was built in the fifth century B.C. Four columns are all that is left, and are marked by the admirable decoration of the architraves, in Hellenistic-Roman style. In this area have also been found the remains of a religious building, and very ancient sanctuaries from the 6^th century B.C., dedicated to Demeter and Persephone and known as a whole as the Sanctuary of the Chthonic Divinities. Temple of Hercules It is a Doric temple, almost certainly the most ancient of the temples of Agrigento, and dates from the 6^th century B.C. It is distinguished for the originality of its structure, of which three of the tall steps bounding the rectangular platform remain. The Herakleion was originally a peripteral temple with six columns. Its cornice, originally of clay, was later replaced by one of stone, decorated with lion heads and considerably restored during Roman times. Tomb of Theron From the Roman period (1^st century B.C.). Temple of Concord A splendid example of Doric architecture, and one of the greatest attractions and archaeological treasure in Sicily. The temple is in excellent state of conservation, although the wear of centuries has eroded the structure of the shell-limestone tufa of which it is built and stripped it of its stucco coating. The building, which is similar in structure and color to the temple of Theseus in Athens, was originally dedicated to Castor and Pollux and was built, in all probability, in the time of Theron(5^th century B.C.). It is a hexastyle pripteral temple with 34 columns standing on a platform with four steps up to it. It was converted into a Christian basilica in the 6^th century A.D. Burial Chambers Byzantine arcosolium burial chambers and the remains of the early Christian necropolis. Temple of Juno Lacinia This temple is a hexastyle peripteral temple in pure Doric style. Built around the half of the 5^th century B.C., it was later damaged by a fire which led to its restoration in Roman times. Of the original building 25 columns are left, some of them truncated. Particularly imposing is the colonnade on the northern side supporting the powerful architrave. Hellenistic-Roman Quarter Colossal Telamones This statue adorned the temple of Zeus. Back to Sicily Index