ITALY: Sicily's Valley of the Temples

The Valley of the Temples, on the island of Sicily, is an archeological site in Agrigento. 

It is a large site covering over 3,200 acres (1,300 hectares.)

It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. 

It consists of 8 Greek temples, all built between 510 and 430 BC. 

It is actually built on a ridge, rather than a valley, and has stunning views out to the Mediterranean sea. 

The Valley of the Temples houses some of the best preserved Ancient Greek ruins, outside of Greece. 

The Doric temples are dedicated to Greek divinities. 

Originally it was surrounded by huge walls. 

You can see the original walls and the Mediterranean Sea in the background

At one time Agrigento was one of the most powerful cities in the Mediterranean. 

In the top left you can see the current city of Agrigento. 

The discovery, or, rediscovery, of The Valley of the Temples began at the end of the 18th century. 

One of the better preserved temples is the Temple of Juno - named for the goddess of fertility. You can still see traces of fire on the walls from 406 BC, when the Carthaginians tried to burn it down.

The Temple of Juno. While we were there they were doing some digging, which you can see to the left. 

The star attraction is the Temple of Concordia. It is one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. 

The Temple of Concordia

The temple was saved from destruction when it was incorporated into an early Christian basilica in the 6th Century AD. When it was converted the spaces between the columns were filled in and the pagan altar was destroyed. 

 

This is the symbol for UNESCO

This bronze statue depicts the fall of Icarus. For those of you that remember Greek mythology will know that is when Icarus defied his father, Daedalus, flew too close to the sun and his wax wings melted and he fell into the Mediterranean. 

The statue was part of an installation by Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj in 2011.

What I find interesting is to be able to see the new city of Agrigento while standing in the historical site. There is a difference of over 2,000 years that have elapsed. It makes me think about time and how insignificant todays problems are in the scope of the universe and eternity.

So go ahead and enjoy that extra glass of wine, piece of cheesecake, or scoop of gelato.