the surroundings of agrigento

Selinunte

Selinunte was the biggest Greek city in the most West area of the Sicilian territory occupied by people coming from ancient Greece, from the VII until the V century, with a relatively short life of about 250 years. As a boarder city, Selinunte has profited a lot from the cultural and commercial exchanges with the people from Cartagine, the ancient civilization from norther Africa coming from today Tunisia and that occupied the western part of Sicily. But this special location has also been the source of its ruin, due to the many wars and eventually the defeat against the same people from Cartagine.

Valle dei Templi

Today we can still see very clearly the Greek past of Agrigento, thanks to the 12 temples present in the valley of temples, still incredibly well preserved, like the temple of Concordia (preserved also thanks to the fact that had been converted into a early Christian church in the year 600 after christ).

Sciacca

Sciacca is the second biggest town of the province of Agrigento, after the capital city. The city has historically gained importance thanks to its strategic position in the southern coastline of Sicily, between Agrigento and Selinunte, but also thanks to the thermal baths that have attracted various populations since the prehistorical times (and even today active). Another distinctive historical sign is the production of beautiful ceramic, characterized by the very strong colors of yellow and blue.