From Palermo, we went by train to Agrigento to visit the Valley of the Temples. This involved going from the north coast to the south via the mountainous interior. A wonderful trip!
Our destination was the ancient Greek city of Akragas, founded according to legend by Daedulus, the one who added wings and flew to the sun. The city fell to the Carthaginians in 406 BC and was sacked and burnt.
The Valley of the Temples extends along Via Sacra and we saw The Temple of Concordia, built in 430 BC. This is the largest remaining intact temple. it was most impressive with huge Doric columns. We also visited the Temple of Juno dating from 450 BC with many columns still standing. Nearby was a line of Byzantine rock dwellings, a Roman tomb and the Temple of Heracles, the oldest dating from the 6th century BC. Still impressive if showing its age!
The second section of the valley included the temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest Doric temple ever built, although unfinished at the time of the Carthaginian attack. It incorporated giant figures known as Telamone. We also saw the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Gemini twins, quite controversial as it was partially reconstructed using parts from various buildings.
This place is magical, one of the best!
We have now travelled down to Siracusa to explore more Greek ruins.
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6 comments:
OK I will admit my ignorance... was Daedulus the same guy as Icarus or am I in the wrong legend?
It's hard to imagine anything as old as these temples, isn't it?
I dunno taf, just look around at the next family Christmas *snort*
Sounds like a VERY old place, and I can't possibly comprehend the age really, old rellos or not.
Daedulus was Icarus's dad. I knew HSC Ancient History would come in handy for something. Eventually.
Sounds like a fascinating place to visit.
thanks for clearing that one up, Di. I opted for HSC Modern History which I often find handy at Book Club Meetings, but I hadn't really needed Ancient until your parents went away!! (Sorry to use 'Ancient' and you two in the same sentence, Gail and Rob)
But I did 3U Modern as well Taf!
I especially liked the bit where we studied the American civil rights movements - where they sent black kids to 'white' schools to force integration. (Matt remembers this happening...)
It's a fascinating place. I found this website: http://www.valleyofthetemples.com. Lots of infos
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