Agrigento

Agrigento is a medium-sized city on the south coast of Sicily, Italy, famous for its Greek Valley of Temples. Temple of Concord, Agrigento Get in By train Frequent trains run from the station near the centre of town to Palermo and Caltanissetta, less frequently to Enna (but not that useful - the station in Enna is about 5km below the town). The journey to/from Palermo takes 2 hours and costs €7.45. Connecting with the east of Sicily by train is not easy, and takes a long time. The train station is at Piazza Marconi, on the southeast corner of the old town. By bus Frequent buses run to Palermo, Caltanissetta, Catania, Sciacca and close(ish) to Eraclea Minoa. A few also run to Gela and Trapani via Mazara del Vallo, Marsala and Castelvetrano (for Selinunte). By Boat There are daily boats and hydrofoils in summer (fewer boats and no hydrofoils in winter) from Agrigento's port 3km away - Porto Empedocle to the islands of Lampedusa and Linosa. See SIREMAR [1] and Ustica Lines [2]. There are frequent local buses from Porto Empedocle into Agrigento. Get around On foot The town centre and its medieval streets can easily be reached on foot from the train station. By bus Frequent city buses run from outside the train station, stopping at the Archeological Museum and slightly further downhill, the main entrance of the Valle dei Templi. Buses 1, 2 and 3 all head down to the temples but you must buy your ticket before boarding from the bar inside the station (€0.90 for the 5-10 minute ride) and validate it once on board the bus. You could also walk, but it can get very hot in summer. See The Valley of Temples[3] Temple of Herakles (Ercole), Agrigento Stretching along a ridge to the south of the city are a string of five Greek temples, a sight worthy of comparison to the Acropolis itself in Athens. The temples are usually divided into two zones: the Eastern Zone and Western Zone each side of the main entrance and the road from the city centre. It can get punishingly hot in summer and there is little shade other than some olive trees along the ridge itself. Entrance costs €6 plus extra for an audio tour or a simple map (July 2007). The first temple east of the entrance is the Tempio di Ercole or Temple of Hercules - long, thin and about 1/3 standing. It is the oldest of the temples, built towards the end of the 6th century BC. Next to it are some interesting deep ruts formed by ancient carriages. Next heading east is the large Tempio della Concordia or Temple of Concord - a very impressive almost complete structure built around 440-450 BC. The track the continues above small cliffs at the edge of the ridge to the Tempio di Giunone or Temple of Juno. Partially ruined, it offers a great spot to look back down the ridge to the other temples. To the west of the main entrance is the massive Tempio di Giove or Temple of Jupiter which was never completed and is now in ruins with little structure visible. Most notable is one of the huge stone statues now lying on the ground. Behind this is the small ruined Tempio di Dioscure. Beyond the main temple site is the small, but interesting Tomba di Terone. To put all these sights in context, it is well worth visiting the Archeological Museum (half way back into the city centre) and the adjacent Roman Quarter (with a few nice mosaics). Daily guided tours of the Valley of the Temples can be hired from VisitAgrigento [4] though an audio tour is available at the entrance to the temples. (Some ID is required as security for these, which means walking back the entire length of the site just to give the guide back). Archaeological Museum and classical period living quarters The Museum is about half way from the station to the Valley of the Temples and contains numerous artifacts taken from the site. It is purposely built to accommodate a huge telamon, reconstructed from pieces. The residential quarters are on the other side of the road. Old Agrigento The old centre of Agrigento is also worth a visit. Via Atena has a range of small shops and throngs with locals during the evening passeggiata. The large cathedral is uphill in the northwestern corner of the town center on Via Duomo. Built around 1000 AD it has since been altered several times but today offers grand views across the valley. The cathedral is closed from 12-4PM. Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci, Salita Santa Maria dei Greci. An interesting Norman church built some 1000 years ago on the site of a an ancient Greek temple. Free. Festival A visit at the time of the Festa del Mandorlo in Fiori (almond Blossom Festival) towards the end of February is to be commended. Eat Sample the Greek-influenced cuisine, especially eggplant (aubergine) and olive oil-based dishes. Drink Sleep Budget Villa Nicoletta, Via Rosmunda 16 (Between Agrigento and San Leone, 2km from the sea), (eninfo@bbvillanicoletta.it), [5]. €20-25 per person. Belvedere Via San Vito 20 (+39) 0922 20051. Up some steps around the corner from the station. Large & plain, but cheap and friendly. Oceano&Mare (Bed and Breakfast Oceano&Mare), Via Caterina D'Altavilla 35 (In San Leone, 200m from the sea and 4 from the Valley of the Temples), ☎ +39 0922 413041 (info@oceanoemare.it), [6]. €30 per person. Middle Range Agrigento Hotel Villa Holiday, Via Ettore Gabrici N.9, 92100 Agrigento, ☎ +39 0922 606332 (info@villaholidayagrigento.com). Hotel Baglio della Luna, C.da Maddalusa S.S. 640, Km 4, 150, ph. +39 0922.511061 fax. +39 0922.598802 , [7]. The natural elegance of Sicily lives in the fascinating rural setting of Hotel Baglio della Luna, at the doors of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Very expensive Camere a Sud, in the old town centre off Via Athena. Very small, tidy, stylish and modern B&B with nice breakfast served on the roof terrace [8]. Agrigento Hotel Villa Holiday, Small hotel at Agrigento with private car park 2km from the beach 4km from the Valley of the Temples.price= €45-55 for a double room.[9].email=info@villaholidayagrigento.com Splurge Hotel Costa Azzurra, (Saint Leone). Hotel Dioscuri bay Palace, Set in a very nice bay, on the promenade of San Leone, the Hotel allows admiring the historical heart of Agrigento with its "Valle dei Templi". The Hotel has got 102 rooms, all with balcony over the sea or the hinterland and is ideal for businessmen as well as for tourists. Bedrooms are decorated uniformly in soft colors and particular care has been taken for the small decorative details. All rooms are bright and offer modern amenities such as hairdryer, frigo-bar, telephone, TV color and balcony. Bathrooms are nicely up-to-date equipped and are provided either with bathtub or with shower. Hotel Villa Athena, via Passeggiata Archeologica 33, 92100 AGRIGENTO http://www.hotelvillaathena.it. Luxury hotel located only 200 meters from the Concordia Temple. Get out This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!