Culture of Agrigento. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Agrigento is one of the leaders in terms of the number of unique landmarks among other Sicilian cities. Tourists can see inimitable antique attractions and medieval buildings here. Of course, local museums deserve a visit too. Valle dei Templi or Valley of the Temples is a worldwide famous attraction. Some of the most interesting antique attractions are located in this archaeological site. Tourists can see an ancient necropolis, explore an antique forum and fragments of protective walls, and take a closer look at several temples. More than two thousand years ago, this area was the center of a large and prosperous city full of luxurious palaces and temples. The majority of buildings that have survived to this day were constructed in the 5th – 6th centuries BC.

Temple of Olympian Zeus is one of the most notable antique attractions in Agrigento. The giant temple dedicated to Zeus was never completed. The city suffered from several alien invasions, and later the temple was severely damaged during an earthquake. Nevertheless, even the restored fragments of the building look very impressive. Archaeologists also discovered an antique statue of King Telamon here. It was decided to install it in the center of the architectural complex. The statue is 8 meters tall, and it’s a miracle that it has survived to this day.

Besides the legendary antique attractions, pay your attention to landmarks of the medieval period. Cattedrale di San Gerlando remains the main religious symbol of Agrigento. This gorgeous cathedral dates back to the 11th century. The church suffered much damage in the mid-13th century due to the landslide. The reconstruction works were finished only four centuries later. The cathedral changed its look and got some Baroque elements in the 17th century. Today, Cattedrale di San Gerlando is a church that not only looks impressive but also has a fabulous inner design. The shrine was partially damaged during an earthquake in 1966, but later it was thoroughly restored in strict accordance with its historic look. Among the most interesting elements of inner décor, it is important to mention the medieval nave and the wooden ceiling that dates back to the 15th century. The cathedral exhibits many precious artifacts including relics of patron saints. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Chiesa Santa Maria dei Greci is a prominent landmark in Greek-Byzantine style. The construction of the shrine took place in the 13th century. Chiesa Santa Maria dei Greci was built on ruins of an ancient temple. The church hasn’t got any significant damages over the centuries, so it still features many interesting elements in the Gothic style. Magnificent frescos are the main decoration of the church. Most of them were made yet in the 14th century. Enter the church to see amazing medieval sculptures of saints.

Chiesa San Calogero, which dates back to the 13th – 14th centuries, is one more gorgeous shrine in Agrigento. This church has one very unusual element – an ancient altar that was made in the 14th century. Made from black rosewood and orange tree bark, the altar is a true masterpiece. Chiesa San Calogero also features many precious artifacts including gilded mosaics and elements of décor made from rare sorts of wood.

When it comes to museums and other cultural establishments in Agrigento, Museo Archeologico is definitely the most visited venue. The museum opened in the 60s of the previous century. It is located in the heart of the historic district. A significant part of the exhibited items belongs to the Hellenistic period in the history of Agrigento. The oldest artifacts in the collection date back to the 15th century BC. A collection of ancient tableware and statuettes is considered a true gem of Museo Archeologico. Ritual weapons that local people used more than 2,500 years ago also draw the attention of guests. The museum building is located at some elevation, offering picturesque views of the historic quarter.

Do not miss an opportunity to visit Gems Museum – this is one of the most marvelous attractions in Sicily. Precious stones and fine jewelry made in different periods are the main exhibits in this museum. An excursion to Gems Museum is not only interesting but also educative. You will learn how to distinguish real precious and semiprecious stones from fakes and even try to use the equipment of professional jewelers. Finally, it would be a mistake to forget to mention Museo Diocesano, the collection of which started forming in 1958. Today, this museum exhibits interesting collections of religious artifacts and artworks from local churches.