Temple of the Olympian Zeus, Agrigento

Ruins of the Temple of the Olympian Zeus

One of the important ruin site in Agrigento is the Temple of the Olympian Zeus. According to historians, it is supposed to be the largest doric temple to be ever constructed during that time however, the construction has not been completed.

Historians believe that it was supposed to be constructed to celebrate the triumph at the Battle of Himera but because of further attempts by the Carthaginians to recapture the city, the construction could not continue particularly the roof part. Until an earthquake brought the temple down.

Model of the Temple of the Olympian Zeus

Then during the 18th century, people quarried the ruin site to obtain construction materials for the development of the towns in Agrigento.

Presently, only a few tumbled pillars and rock blocks have survived.


Images: en.wikipedia.org

Temple of Heracles

Temple of Heracles, Agrigento Sicily (wikipedia)

Another interesting archaeological treasure of Agrigento, Sicily is the Temple of Heracles. Historians believe that this has been one of the first temple that Theron, the Greek tyrant of the town of Acragas in Sicily, has built around 480BC before the Battle of Himera.

The Battle of Himera happened in 480BC when the Greek forces of Gelon, King of Syracuse, and Theron, defeated the Carthaginian forces of Hamilcar the Magonid, which ended Carthage’s dominion over Sicily. Historians say that the Temple of Heracles have been completed decades after that momentous war.

The temple is in honor of Heracles, the half-man, half-god hero in the Greek mythology. According to the myth, he is the son of Zeus and has an unmatched power and strength. He has become the epitome of masculinity and courage. In Roman mythology, he is known as Hercules.

It must be enthralling to see the ruins of a temple that has passed more than a thousand years. It is like bringing into the future a tiny glimpse of the engineering and architecture of an ancient civilization.

Il Tempio Della Concordia, Sicily

This photo of Temple of Concord is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Another important archaeological site in Agrigento, Sicily is the Il Tempio Della Concordia or Temple of Concord. Concordia in ancient Roman religion is the goddess of agreement, understanding, and marital harmony. This temple presumably is dedicated to the honor of this goddess.

I am quite fascinated with archaelogical sites. Ancient civilizations amaze me but photographs, no matter how good they are taken, can never equal the excitement of being in those sites in person. I’ve never been to any but with this virtual travel, I hope to satisfy even just a fraction of my curiosity.

As I try to research for the Temple of Concord, the intenet pages bring me to a Temple of Concord located at the Roman Forum in Rome. I am a bit confused with two temples of Concord.

In this post I will blog about the one in the Valley of Temples in Agrigento, Sicily. The Temple of Concord is the most well preserved archaoelogical site in the world and is one of the most famous structure that bear ancient Greek civilization that still exists in our time.

“When the temple was turned into a church the entrance was moved to the rear, and the rear wall of the cella had to be destroyed. The spaces between the columns were closed, while 12 arched openings were created in the cella, in order to obtain a structure with one nave and two aisles. The pagan altar was destroyed and sacristies were carved out in the eastern corners. The sepultures visible inside and outside the temple date to the High Middle Age”(en.wikipedia.org).

If ever I can go to Sicily, I will never miss this UNESCO Heritage Site.

“Valley of Temples” in Agrigento, Sicily

Agrigento is a city in the southern coast of the island of Sicily in Italy and the capital of the province with the same name. It is one of the most popular sites in Sicily as it is where we can see the “Valley of Temples”, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. This archaeological site is one of the main attractions of Sicily.

Temple of Juno Lacinia c/o Wikipedia

In the Valley of Temples, we can see ruins of several temples that flaunt the rich architecture of ancient Greece as Greeks have started to settle in Sicily around 750 BC. One of the first shrines to have risen in Agrigento is the “Temple of Hera” or also called the “Temple of Juno Lacinia”, which has been erected in 450 BC. It measures “38.15 x 16.90 m: it is in Doric style, peripteros with 6 x 13 columns, preceded by a pronaos and opisthodomos. The basement has four steps” (wikipedia).

Although at the present ruins, 30 columns remain standing but only sixteen have beams. Visiting the “Valley of Temples” in Agrigento, Sicily is definitely a spectacular experience.

Sicily: the Historic Island in the Mediterranean

One of the most famous place in Italy is the island of Sicily and one of the most important city or province in the history of Europe as it basically divides the Mediterranean into two sides: the East and the West.

Sicily has a very rich history, which dates back as far as 1,500 BC. It is a very unusual island having rich archaeology, scenery, structures, beaches, art and even folklore. The island has been a Greek colony where Saint Paul has preached. It has become a Roman province, a Norman kingdom and an Arab emirate and that would explain how diverse is the culture of its people.

Panoramic view of Palermo, capital city of Sicily from Monte Pellegrino

This is one great island that anyone would definitely enjoy visiting. With the rich prints of history on its soil and beaches, any visitor would never get bored going around.

The Pantheon of Rome, Italy

I have read about the Pantheon in a book by Dan Brown, Angels and Demons. It is where the first cardinal is supposed to be killed by the terrorist. The unfolding events in the story have aroused my interest about how the Pantheon looks like.

The Pantheon’s dome is said to be the largest un-reinforced concrete dome in the world. It has been used as a Roman Catholic Church since the 7^th century dedicated to St Mary and the Martyrs although originally, it has been built by Marcus Agrippa as a temple for the gods of ancient Rome then later rebuilt by Hadrian in 126 AD.

Inside the Dome

Raphael's Bust above his tomb

I have learned from the Dan Brown book that Raphael, the renowned painter has been buried inside the Pantheon. Although, I do not know which details from the book are true and accurate. Anyways, it is just for fun in reading.

The Pantheon must be an amazing place to see because of its age and historical value. How I wish I can tour that place too someday!

The Vatican Museums

One of the most famous tourist destinations in Rome, Italy are the Vatican Museums. On record, the Vatican Museums receive more than 4 million visitors a year. For me, one of the remarkable sections of the museums is the spiral staircase. I have not been there but I am amazed as I see it in photographs.

“The Vatican Museums trace their origin to one marble sculpture, purchased 500 years ago. The sculpture of Laocoön, the priest who, according to Greek mythology, tried to convince the people of ancient Troy not to accept the Greeks' "gift" of a hollow horse, was discovered 14 January 1506, in a vineyard near the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Pope Julius II sent Giuliano da Sangallo and Michelangelo Buonarroti, who were working at the Vatican, to examine the discovery. On their recommendation, the pope immediately purchased the sculpture from the vineyard owner. The pope put the sculpture of Laocoön and his sons in the grips of a sea serpent on public display at the Vatican exactly one month after its discovery”. (wikipedia)

This is one place that I want to see for real. The collection of artifacts and sculptures arouse my imagination and interest. Unfortunately, going there physically is something I cannot do but at least through this virtual journey, I can say at least, I have been there.

Photograph by Artlover’s

Photographer's Profile:  

http://www.igougo.com/profile

Photo Originally Posted At: 

http://photos.igougo.com/

I am not a Catholic but places where I can trace the history of the church attract me. Rome may not be the origin of Christianity but it has played an immense influence in the lives of the early saints and the early church.

Those who are interested to visit the Vatican Museums, here is a link to their official website. Just click the image below.

The two images at the top are courtesy of Wikipedia