Car Hire Agrigento - Mini guide to Agrigento
Agrigento, 128kms south of Palermo, has been lauded as one of the most enthralling, unforgettable sightseeing spots in all of Europe. This is not because of its uninspiring modern town, but because of the fabulous Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples), which was the catalyst of historic transformation through ancient times.
The town pales in comparison to the temples, although the Abbazia di Santo Spirito, a 13th century church, merits a visit. With its Gothic façade and ornate Baroque interior, it is the town’s chief historical site. The intricately designed windows around the church are particularly interesting.
Just below the town, you’ll find the marvellous Valle dei Templi, home to some of the greatest Greek ruins in the world. In the 6th century BC, this was where Greek colonists thrived in their intellectual dominance until losing the town to the Carthaginians in 406 BC. The Romans succeeded in capturing the town in 210 BC.
One of the grandest temples is the Tempio della Concordia (Temple of Concord), which was built in peripheral hexastyle, with thirteen columns on its side, six columns in front and six more in the back. The oldest temple is the Tempio di Ercole (Temple of Hercules), where you can still see eveidence of the fires set by Carthaginian invaders.
After a tiring day visiting the many temples, you should visit Ristorante il Dehor. Vaunted as one of the best restaurants in Sicily, it features traditional cuisine served in lavish surroundings. The restaurant is situated five kilometres west of town, in the Foresteria Baglio della Luna Hotel.
By car from Syracuse, take the SS115 through Gela to reach Agrigento. From Palermo, cut southeast along the S121, which becomes the S188 and S189 before it finally reaches Agrigento and the Mediterranean. The train trip from Palermo to Agrigento takes 1 hour, 30 minutes. There are 11 trains daily to the main rail station, Stazione Centrale, located on Piazza Marconi, which is downhill from Piazzale Aldo Moro and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. To reach the city by air, you’ll have to fly into Palermo first. Punta Raisi/Falcone & Borsellino Airport, Sicily’s largest, is 30kms west of Palermo on the A29 highway.
