AGRIGENTE : In the Valley of...
by Nice_Girl
AGRIGENTE : In the Valley of the Temples are the ruins of numerous temples but also necropoli, houses, streets and everything else one would expect to find in an ancient city. There is a small amphitheatre, as well as several auditoria, and a fine archeological museum. Unfortunately, most of the temples at Agrigento are in ruins, with pieces strewn about, and several appear to have never even been completed. Part of the Temple of Juno, built around 450 BC, is still intact. Its style has been compared to that of the temples at Paestum, near Salerno. The Temple of Concord (named retroactively), built around 440 BC, is in far better condition, and at night the illuminated temple is a sight to behold. A number of telamons (large segmented stone columns in the form of human figures) have been preserved.
Practicalities
by TheWanderingCamel
A little bit of homework and planning will help you make the most of your time in Syracuse and save you a few euros at the same time. Three different combination tickets are available to the sites run by the Italian government and all are valid for 2 days. Which one you chooose will depend on both your interests and the time you have available to you - if you're only there for a day you'll probably only have time to visit two of the options at most.
In 2008, 12 euro bought a ticket to all three sites - the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, the Museo Archeologico Nacionale Paolo Orsi (both on the mainland) and the Galleria Regionale di Palazzo Bellomo (in Ortygia).
10 euro bought a ticket for the Parco Archeologico and the Museo Archeologico
7 euro bought a ticket for the Museo and the Galleria. Both are open all day but the Museo is closed on Monday.
The Galleria was closed for restoration so I bought the combined Parco and Museo tickets. MrL's age gained him free admission on showing his Australian driver's licence. (EU and Australian over 65s qualify - some other countries do too, but you'll have to ask, and remember to have proof of your age with you).
The Park and the Museum are about 500 metres from each other in the area known as the Zona Archeologico. You'll find the Church and the Catacombs of San Giovanni, the Papyrus Museum and the modern Sanctuary of the Weeping Madonna close to the museum.
The Park is in two sections, with the ticket office in the middle. The northern zone contains the Greek Theatre, the various gardens and the Necropoli dei Grotticelli where the purported tomb of Archimedes is located. This latter area. was closed to general access when we visited. When you have finished in this area, you must cross the Viale de Paradiso to make your way to the southern zone where you will find the Roman Amphitheatre and the Altar of Hieron II. The Park coveres a huge area, some of which is very exposed. Be sure to bring a hat and some water with you if you're visiting in summer.
I would suggest a morning spent at the Park before the day gets too hot, and the afternoon spent at the museum and the catacombs.
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Roman Amphitheatre, Siracusa
Santurio della Madonna delle Lacrime
fontana di aretusa
fireworks
