Agrigento: Valley of the Temples, cultural landscape and history

Agrigento brings together the history of a Greek colony, archaeological sites, a cultural landscape and historic collections. The city can therefore be explored from various perspectives: its ancient heritage, religious buildings, literary sites and traditions. Which of these themes you want to shape your stay can also guide your search for accommodation in Agrigento.

Ancient history and cultural landscape

The Archaeological Area of Agrigento, also known as the Valley of the Temples, was founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC. It grew into one of the leading cities of the Mediterranean region. The site’s history therefore begins before its individual structures: the development of an important Greek city is also part of the story of ancient Agrigento.

At the Giardino della Kolymbethra, archaeology, biodiversity and traditional farming practices come together to form a rare archaeological and agricultural cultural landscape. The underground hypogea pathways there are 185 metres long. The garden thus offers a different focus from the history of the Greek colony: here, archaeological connections and long-established agricultural traditions are intertwined.

Churches and sites in the historic centre

MUDIA is an open-air museum itinerary through several sites in the historic centre. Rather than focusing on a single collection, the itinerary highlights the connections between different places in the city centre. Cattedrale di San Gerlando offers its own architectural and acoustic point of interest: its present form reflects a 17th-century style. It also features a remarkable acoustic effect: a word whispered at the entrance can be heard from the apse, 85 metres away.

The building history of Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Greci reaches back to antiquity. The church was built over the remains of a Greek temple dating from the 5th century BC. Monastero di Santo Spirito, in turn, was founded in the 13th century; its interior features serpottian stucco work. Visitors can sample sweets prepared by cloistered nuns according to traditional recipes. Check before your visit whether the tasting is currently being offered.

Collections, Pirandello and folklore

Biblioteca Lucchesiana focuses on historical book and manuscript collections. It holds 80,000 volumes, 32 Arabic codices, 300 manuscripts, and 410 incunabula and 16th-century rarities. Luigi Pirandello’s birthplace is a rural building dating from the late 18th century in Contrada Caos near Agrigento. Since 1987, Casa di Pirandello and Biblioteca Luigi Pirandello have formed a single institution. Casa di Pirandello houses photographs, reviews and honours, first editions with handwritten dedications, paintings dedicated to the author, and posters for his best-known works.

Agrigento’s regional Archaeological Museum also complements the city’s historical themes. It is located in Contrada San Nicola, just outside the city limits, and offers a panoramic view of the Valley of the Temples. The Festival Internazionale del Folklore may also be relevant when planning your trip: it takes place every year between February and March. Check the dates for the relevant year before travelling.

Choose accommodation based on your interests

If you are travelling with a range of cultural interests, you can plan your visit to Agrigento by theme rather than by working through a long list of stops. The Archaeological Area and the Giardino della Kolymbethra offer different highlights from the churches, libraries or Pirandello’s literary heritage. The festival in February and March may also affect your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Villaggio Pirandello, Sant'anna, Siculiana Marina, Sciacca, Joppolo Giancaxio, Aragona, Lucca Sicula.

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