Agrigento: sights

Acragas had two building phases: the sixth-fifth century, and the period between 340 and the First Punic War. The temples that attract so many tourists to Agrigento date back to the first period. The urban remains, a bit more to the north of the temples, date to the second period. The citadel was always in use, and is occupied by the modern city.

From east to west, a visitor will see:

• The Temple of Hera (or Juno)
• The so-called Temple of Concord
• A Christian cemetery with a catacomb
• The Temple of Heracles
• The Temple of Zeus
• The Sanctuary of the Chthonic Deities (also known as the Temple of Castor and Pollux) with a city gate and several other buildings

Acragas, Temple of Zeus, atlant

Acragas, Temple of Zeus, model

Acragas, Temple of Zeus

Acragas, Temple of Heracles

The area with the temples is known as the "valley of the temples". Between this series of sanctuaries and the modern city, are the ancient living quarters. We can still see that they were built on a Hippodamian Plan, with long blocks and parallel streets leading from north to south. There are no visible monuments, except for the Ecclesiasterion or Council Hall, next to the nice archaeological museum.