What Awaits You in the Valley of the Temples
The Valley of the Temples, a name that brings with it drama, intrigue and a sense of the past. And indeed, this is exactly what you get when you visit this charming and beautiful place. This ancient archaeological site can be explored in Agrigento, just off the SP4. It is close to the south-western coastline of Sicily and is easily accessible from many popular tourist areas. It takes around two-and-a-half hours to reach it from Modica, and almost two hours from Marsala. But what awaits you when you finally arrive at this historic site?
Take the opportunity to witness and explore a UNESCO World Heritage Archaeological Site
This entire area is quite rightly recognised by UNESCO and is referred to in Sicilian as Vaddi di li Tempera. You may also hear it referred to as Valle Dei Templi, but regardless of the language, you will bear witness to a dramatic sight. Of particular note is the Temple of Concordia – a structure that has been preserved to an impressive degree. If you can visit when the sun is going down, you will see it is lit to show its true beauty. The Temple of Concordia is one of seven in the valley. These are all Doric-style temples, referring to a particular architectural style that was popular around this time in history. This style is clearly seen with the strong and ordered pillars that were used in the construction process here. Among the other sights here is the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Asclepius and the Temple of Juno. Some only have a few pillars remaining, but the site as a whole reveals the impressive nature of the Doric style.
Indulge in a guided tour
If you visit the site on your own, it is easy to wander around and see all the temples and to get an idea of the scale and scope of the site. However, you may never learn the history of the temples, or how they were constructed so many centuries ago. To reveal and learn more, the best course of action is to organise a guided tour of the area. There are many excellent guides in Agrigento, and having one of them to rely on is definitely recommended. our Concierge team would be very happy to assist in organising the perfect guided tour.
Stepping back into the past
You may look up this archaeological site on a map. You can read about it online, just as you are doing here. Yet it is only when you set foot on the site itself that you start to understand the scale and scope of these buildings. Even when you are looking at the few remaining pillars of the original Temple of Castor and Pollux, you can still feel the history seeping into the grounds around you. The Temple of Concordia is indeed the most impressive sight in the entire area. You will want to see it from every angle – and the desire to see it after dark is definitely worth the wait.
