Valle dei Templi

From the Wikipedia entry for Valle dei Templi:

The Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples) is an archaeological site in Agrigento (ancient Greek Akragas), Sicily. It is one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and architecture, and is one of the main attractions of Sicily as well as a national monument of Italy. The area was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1997. Much of the excavation and restoration of the temples was due to the efforts of archaeologist Domenico Antonio Lo Faso Pietrasanta (1783–1863), who was the Duke of Serradifalco from 1809 through 1812. The Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples is the largest archaeological site in the world with 1,300 hectares

The Valley includes remains of seven temples, all in Doric style. The ascription of the names, apart from that of the Olympeion, are a mere tradition established in Renaissance times. The temples are:

Temple of Concordia, whose name comes from a Latin inscription found nearby. It was built in the 5^th century BCE. Turned into a church in the 6^th century CE, it is now one of the best preserved in the Valley.
Temple of Hera, also built in the 5^th century BCE. It was burnt in 406 BCE by the Carthaginians.
Temple of Heracles, who was one of the most venerated deities in the ancient Akragas. It is the most ancient in the Valley, dating back to the end of the 6^th century BCE. It was destroyed by an earthquake, it consists today of only eight columns.
Temple of Olympian Zeus, built in 480 BCE to celebrate the city-state's victory over Carthage. It is characterized by the use of large scale atlases. The Temple of Olympian Zeus (or Olympeion; known in Italian as the Tempio di Giove Olimpico) was the largest Doric temple ever constructed, although it was never completed and now lies in ruins.
Temple of the Dioscuri Castor and Pollux. This is in a misleading modern reconstruction from the early 19^th century, created using pieces from various other temples. Despite its remains including only four columns, it is now the symbol of modern Agrigento.
Temple of Vulcan, also dating from the 5^th century BCE. It is thought to have been one of the most imposing constructions in the valley; it is now however one of the most eroded.
Temple of Asclepius, located far from the ancient town's walls; it was the goal of pilgrims seeking cures for illness.

The Valley is also home to the so-called Tomb of Theron, a large tuff monument of pyramidal shape; scholars suppose it was built to commemorate the Romans killed in the Second Punic War.

The Archaeological Area of Agrigento is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Valle dei Templi is a splendid example of the many sites of Ancient Civilizations that I visited during my travels.

All pictures are © Dr. Günther Eichhorn, unless otherwise noted.