Templo de Esculapio, Greek temple in Valley of Temples, Agrigento, Italy.
The Temple of Asclepius is a sanctuary with Doric order situated in the archaeological site Valley of Temples near Agrigento. The structure sits on an elevated platform and displays distinctive architectural features, particularly in how its rear sections are arranged.
The sanctuary was built in the late 5th century BC in the ancient city of Akragas. The construction reflects how the local society expressed its religious and medical beliefs through monumental architecture during this period.
The temple's name links it to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, called Aesculapius by the Romans; it is also known as Temple H. According to Cicero, the sanctuary held a bronze Apollo by Myron, donated by Scipio and later stolen by Verres. Polybius placed the temple 'in front of the city' about a mile away, which guided its traditional identification.
The temple stands in the middle of the San Gregorio plain, away from the main temple row, so allow extra walking time within the Valley of the Temples park. The surviving structure is low: three crepidoma steps and a base wider than the steps themselves, with parts of the entablature and lion-head spouts. Look for the two half-columns between antae at the rear of the cella.
The rear of the cella has two half-columns between the antae, a false opisthodomos that makes the back imitate a two-fronted (amphiprostyle) temple. Parts of the entablature survive, with lion-head spouts, frieze and pedimental geison. The temple is also called temple H.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,378 contributors worldwide.