Valle dei Templi, Archaeological park in Agrigento, Italy
The Valle dei Templi is an archaeological park on a ridge outside Agrigento with the remains of seven Doric temples. The Temple of Concordia, built in the 5th century BC, has a peristasis of 6 by 13 columns on a basement of 39.44 by 16.91 metres; its cella was later modified into a church. The Temple of Heracles, the oldest in the park, preserves eight columns.
Gela colonists founded Akragas in 581 BC; the city was later ruled by the tyrants Phalaris and Theron, whose 480 BC victory at Himera prompted the great Doric temples. Carthage sacked it in 406 BC, and Rome took it in 210 BC as Agrigentum. The Temple of Concordia became a church in the 6th century AD.
These temples served as religious centers where Greek colonists worshiped their patron deities. The name Valley of the Temples emerged during the 18th century, though the sanctuaries stand on a ridge rather than in an actual valley. The archaeological park now draws over one million visitors annually from around the world.
The park opens daily at 8:30 AM with adult tickets priced at 12 euros, while reduced rates apply for European Union citizens under 25. Shuttle buses operate between major temple areas. Early morning or late afternoon visits offer relief from midday heat. Sturdy footwear is recommended for the uneven terrain.
Construction of the Temple of Zeus stretched across 112 meters (367 feet) and incorporated massive stone figures called telamons as structural supports reaching 7.5 meters (25 feet) in height. One of these colossal figures now lies reconstructed on the park grounds. Akragas ranked among the wealthiest Greek cities in the Mediterranean during the 5th century BC.
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