The city of Agrigento rises on the slopes of a mountain plateau between two rivers overlooking the Valley of the Temples, with the southern coast visible in the distance. It was founded by the Greeks who named it Akragas, conquered by the Romans who named it Agrigentum until the Arabs came around and called it Girgenti. The present name was introduced in 1927.
The remains of this magnificent ancient city are scattered over a vast valley. The temples were built with limestone found in the area and they are a very distinct rich yellow color. Our visit was at the end of May and we stood in awe at the view of the temples, with the deep blue color of the Mediterranean Sea in the background and the intense Sicilian sun shining upon us.
The remains of the Temple of Castor and Pollux, built in the 5th century BC. The city of Agrigento is visible in the background.
A view of the eight columns remaining of the Temple of Hercules.
A view from a distance of the Temple of Concordia, built in the 5th century BC. I've read that this is the best preserved temple in the entire island. The Mediterranean Sea can be seen in the horizon.
A telamon from the Temple of Olympian Jove displayed in the Archeological Museum. A telamon is a figure of a man used as a supporting pillar. Also known as an "atlas".