Selinunte Things to Do

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Temple C is located just beyond the Acropolis, the upright monument that stands in the midst of all this rubble. Temple C dates back to 580 BC and is situated next to a megaron (great hall) complex that stands 18 x 5 meters (58 x 18 feet).

The main attraction in this area is the Acropolis, which stands tall and proud while being surrounded by piles of stones. The Acropolis was most likely dedicated to Apollo (Greek god of light, the sun, and much more). The Acropolis dates back to the early 6th century BC and measured 64 x 24 meters (209 x 78 feet). Above the columns would have been a frieze with relief sculptured metopes (several that have been excavated from this location are now in Palermo’s archeological museum). The Acropolis would have housed an altar for sacrifices and its massive columns were toppled during an earthquake in the Middle Ages. Archeologists have found medieval lamps and religious artifacts in this area as well as remains from an Arab village.

The part of the Acropolis we see today was toppled during that same medieval earthquake, but has been rebuilt since the 1920s.

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Temple A/O are combined because there really isn’t that much left of Temple O (only the stylobate remains – the top step on which the columns rested). Temple A also contains a stylobate but with some column drums atop it. There are also some remains of the impressive entrance to this temple which was built in 490 BC. Both Temples A and O are believed to be the same size (each at 40 x 16 meters; 131 x 52 ½ feet).

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There isn’t too much known about this Temple, which is really in a state of ruins with stones piled on one another. Temple F is believed to be the oldest temple on this hill, possibly dating back to 560 BC. It is a little smaller than Temple E and sits between that temple and the much larger ruins of Temple G.

We were able to see columns that had fallen over and its pieces still lined up together. Originally, the temple would have had a double row of columns in its front and then 14 columns on either side of the longer sides of the rectangular structure. It is believed that this temple was dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

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Temple G is the largest temple in Selinunte with a size of 110 x 50 meters (360 x 164 feet) and the second largest Sicilian temple (the Olympieion at Agrigento is bigger). Today it is a pile of stones but originally would have been similar to the Parthenon. It is believed that this temple dates back to the 6th century BC but was never finished. It was left unfinished in 409 BC when Selinunte was destroyed by Hannibal. It is believed that Temple G was dedicated to Zeus, king of all Greek gods.

This is a massive pile of very large stones. There is one column that is still standing which the locals call “the old lady’s distaff.” The columns overall were made of stone from Cusa quarries and have a base measuring 3 ½ meters (11 ½ feet) in diameter, with drums weighing about 100 tons each stacked upon the base. We saw the holes in the drums that would have been used to connect the pieces and provide stability. My photo above with Hubby at the base of the column gives some perspective regarding just how big these columns were and begging the question regarding how the Greeks built them.

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For me, Temple E was the most impressive of all the structures in the park. But this could be simply because I am a very visual person and Temple E has been reconstructed to give the visitor an idea of what the temples looked like. With the exception of the Acropolis, the other temples were more like piles of massive stones with which one had to use their imagination to envision what it would look like. With Temple E standing right there, it was easier to make that imaginative jump.

Temple E was built around 490 BC and its dimensions 68 x 25 meters (223 x 82 feet). While there are still debates about who the temples were dedicated to, it is believed that Temple E was dedicated to Hera, the Greek goddess of women and marriage.

We were able to walk all around Temple E and inside it. There were some ropes that discouraged people from climbing on the innermost part of the temple, but other than that we were able to get up close and personal with the temple. The columns were massive and the overall size of the temple was impressive (just remember that Temple G would’ve originally been larger than Temple E).

At the top of the columns running along the columns would have originally be a frieze with sculpted relief metopes decorating the tops. Four metopes from Temple E were discovered at the site and are now located in the archeological museum in Palermo.

While walking around, we saw numerous dead birds in the temple. We had no idea why they were dying, but thought it might be the pack of wild dogs – except that the birds had not been eaten. So we have no answer for why they were dead.

From Temple E, visitors can look over at the pile of rocks that make up Temples F and G before heading over for a closer look. By viewing them from Temple E, you can get an idea of how big they are. Another good view from Temple E is the west group of temples, including the upright Acropolis sitting on the hill farther away.

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There are two parking lots in Selinunte, but you need to begin your time at the site with the first parking lot because this is where you purchase your tickets. Parking was free.

We paid €6/person (2012 prices) to enter and see the entire site. There is a bookshop at the ticket counter. If you do not have any information about what you will be seeing, you probably want to pick up a guide book or something since we were not given a map or any details. Signs were around the site, but not consistent. We used our Blue Guide – Sicily, which gave us ample information, maps, and details on what we were looking at.

Once you have your tickets you can either go through the turnstiles into the East Group of temples or get back in your car and drive to the West Group. There is parking at the west site.
Either way, you will need to be able to walk since the parking lots are not right next to the temples.

We started with the East Group of temples going at the visitor center entrance and later walked from there to the West Group. It took us about 30 minutes to make the walk, some on dirt paths and the rest on the paved road. It looked like there were paths going through the brush and scrub in the fields, but signs warned us of a pack of wild dogs that live out there, so we stayed near the roads. There were signs for a shuttle (extra fee) between the two, but it was off season and didn’t appear to the running.

Note: There are WCs/bathrooms at the Visitor Center, near Temple E and at the West Group.

Opening times are 0900-1900 daily.

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It seems almost impossible that two jewels, one of historical importance and the other of natural one are so close to each other. Just a few hundred meters away from the archaeological treasures of Selinunte is the Belice River Mouth Nature Reserve home to natural landscapes. It is a dune habitat along the river mouth and many species of animals and plants have managed to adapt to the difficult climate and are now protected.

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A small Museum can be visited at the Southern Area of Selinunte. Here one can find a small collection of items that have been excavated near by. The main collection of artefacts found at the antiquity site can be find in various museum around Sicily the main one being the Castelvetrano Civic Museum.