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Agrigento ::.
AGRIGENTO This town which overlooks the southern coast, was founded around 582 by Greek colonists and named Akragas; the Romans later on changed the name into Agrigentum, then it became Girgenti and finally Agrigento in 1927. It is world famous for the so-called Valley of the Temples. The oldest one is the Temple of Hercules, dating back to the 6th century BC. The Temple of Concord is one of the best preserved Doric temples; then, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Juno and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. In this archaeological area ther also is the Sanctuary of the Chthonic Divinities, dedicated to Demeter and Persephone. Don't miss a visit to the Museo Archeologico which displays items from prehistoric times through to the Classical period. The historical center of the city also offers many interesting sights. The Romanesque Gothic cathedral with the chapel of San Gerlando and the so-called Tomb of Brandimarte; the thirteenth-century Church of San Nicola, the Teatro Pirandello; the church of S.Lorenzo with statues by Serpotta and the Madonna of the Pomegranate by Gagini. The interesting Convento di S.Spirito, known as Badia Grande, was founded in the 13th century by the Chiaramonte family. |
Agrigento
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