AGRIGENTO“ The most beautiful among the mortal towns”
We want to introduce you to our amazing city of Agrigento with this awesome definition by the Greek poet Pindar. Agrigento is on the southern coast of Sicily, and is renowned as the site of the ancient city of Akragas, founded by Greek settlers.
Agrigento has all the ingredients that make Sicily a famous land worldwide: history, sea and nature. Today it is the capital of the province of Agrigento. The town lies on a hill, 230 metres above sea level, and overlooks the surrounding green hills, with their almond and olive trees. The old town, crossed by the ancient Via Atenea, is a maze which reminds of the North African towns. But Agrigento, like many Sicilian cities, is a mixture of Roman, Greek, Norman and Arabic elements that make this city awesome and unique.
The best way to witness this multi-cultural aspect is to walk its strees and live what this city offers. You will walk through elegant buildings and amazing churches, symbols of its culture and history. Among the religious buildings, you cannot miss the Cathedral of San Gerlando, the Patron saint. Agrigento is also known as the City of Temples. The Valley of Temples is the most fascinating trace of the Greek presence in Sicily, and it has just been awarded as“ the best Italian landscape” by the Italian Department of Culture and Tourism.
Many treasures are kept in the inner area of Agrigento. But the coastline is famous for its beauty. It is in fact one of the most popular beach resorts in Sicily. The symbol of this area is the spectacular Scala Dei Turchi called( the Turks’ Stairway). There are also several beautiful sandy beaches, like Porto Palo, San Leo and Eraclea Minoa. We can also mention the Natural Reserve of Torre Salsa, a WWF site where it is possible to admire one of the few surviving examples of dune environment in Sicily, nesting site of the rare Caretta Caretta sea turtle.( Sara Sanfilippo)
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