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Europe » Italy » Sicily – Agrigento Ruins

Sicily – Agrigento Ruins

April 2016

In the 5th century BC, the city of Agrigento on the southern coast of Sicily was one of the largest and wealthiest colonies in the Ancient Greek world. The ruins of Agrigento's Greek temples are among Sicily's major tourist attractions.

Agrigento's Ancient Greek temples sit on a ridge in the rolling countryside below the modern town

Agrigento's Ancient Greek temples sit on a ridge in the rolling countryside below the modern town

The temple area is dotted with centuries-old olive trees

The temple area is dotted with centuries-old olive trees

The remains of the building now called the Temple of Juno (though it may have been dedicated to a different deity)

The remains of the building now called the Temple of Juno (though it may have been dedicated to a different deity)

The temples were originally plastered and painted. The red patch in the center could be a bit of remaining pigment or damage from a fire when Agrigento was sacked by the Carthaginians.

The temples were originally plastered and painted. The red patch in the center could be a bit of remaining pigment or damage from a fire when Agrigento was sacked by the Carthaginians.

Modern Agrigento on its hill above the temples is only one-third the size of the ancient Greek and Roman city

Modern Agrigento on its hill above the temples is only one-third the size of the ancient Greek and Roman city

The Temple of Juno from the back

The Temple of Juno from the back

AJ and Francesca behind the Temple of Juno

AJ and Francesca behind the Temple of Juno

Remains of the rutted road that ran up to the ancient city

Remains of the rutted road that ran up to the ancient city

Niches for tombs were carved in the stone lining the path between the temples

Niches for tombs were carved in the stone lining the path between the temples

Reproduction of a marble statue found at Agrigento

Reproduction of a marble statue found at Agrigento

Francesca plays at a kid-size reproduction of an Agrigento temple

Francesca plays at a kid-size reproduction of an Agrigento temple

Francesca practices being a caryatid (a female-shaped column)

Francesca practices being a caryatid (a female-shaped column)

The best-preserved temple in Agrigento is the Temple of Concord from 430 BC

The best-preserved temple in Agrigento is the Temple of Concord from 430 BC

A reproduction of a bronze statue found in Agrigento

A reproduction of a bronze statue found in Agrigento

Prickly pear cactus in bloom

Prickly pear cactus in bloom

These twisted-horn goats are an old breed from the Agrigento area that are being reintroduced

These twisted-horn goats are an old breed from the Agrigento area that are being reintroduced

A few columns still stand from Agrigento's oldest temple, the Temple of Hercules

A few columns still stand from Agrigento's oldest temple, the Temple of Hercules

Columns were built from stacked pieces help together with rods. The hole for the rod is visible in this piece.

Columns were built from stacked pieces help together with rods. The hole for the rod is visible in this piece.

One of the 25-foot-tall Atlas-like figures that held up the roof of the giant Temple of Zeus (now in ruins)

One of the 25-foot-tall Atlas-like figures that held up the roof of the giant Temple of Zeus (now in ruins)

Francesca catches up on the Agrigento guidebook

Francesca catches up on the Agrigento guidebook

A 19th-century reconstruction of part of the Temple of Castor and Pollux

A 19th-century reconstruction of part of the Temple of Castor and Pollux

The Temple of Concordia seen from the entrance to the archeaological museum

The Temple of Concordia seen from the entrance to the archeaological museum

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