May 8, 2017 - 7 AM - Docked in Port Empedocles
Sicily's most outstanding Greek heritage is the UNESCO World Heritage site
at Agrigento, the Valley of the Temples.
Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC it became
one of the leading cities in the Mediterranean world.
Its supremacy and pride are demonstrated by the remains of the
magnificent Doric temples of Olympic Jove, Hercules, Juno and Concord,
all of which dominate the ancient town, much of which
still lies intact under today's fields, olive and almond orchards.
Our first sighting from the bus - the Temple of Concordia constructed from the yellow-orange
rock from shell sediments, standing in its magnificence on the hillside.
The Temple of Concordia - named for the Roman goddess of harmony - was
built c. 440-430 BC, and is known as the largest and best preserved Doric temple
in Sicily and, apart from the Parthenon, in the world.
Kim (Toronto/California) and Michelle (Brisbane, Australia) - two very special
traveling friends with whom I've seen many wonderful parts of the world.
traveling friends with whom I've seen many wonderful parts of the world.
Agrigento has a special place among classical sites in the history of the ancient
world because of the way in which its original site, typical of Greek colonial
settlements, has been preserved, as well as the substantial remains of a
group of buildings from an early period that were not overlain by structures or
converted to suit later tastes or cults.
world because of the way in which its original site, typical of Greek colonial
settlements, has been preserved, as well as the substantial remains of a
group of buildings from an early period that were not overlain by structures or
converted to suit later tastes or cults.
The great row of Doric temples here is one of the most outstanding monuments of
Greek art and culture - an extraordinary testament of Greek civilization in its
amazing preserved condition.
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