Travel to Agrigento, Sicily
Agrigento,famous for its well-promoted Mandorlo in Fiore festival (almond blossom festival) boasting of its historic, archeological and scenic significance flourishes in tourism industry. Situated in the southern coast of Sicily, Italy, the capital of the province of Agrigento, it is also the birth place of some illustrious men in history like the Greek philosopher Empedocles and the writer Luigi Pirandello.
Today its well-preserved architecture ensures aboom in its tourism industry and needless to say, hotels in Agrigento are thriving. Agrigento is a must on just about every tourist’s Sicily itinerary for its one main attraction: the Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi )- very well preserved Doric style temples dating back to the 5th century, now a UNESCO world Heritage Site. The 7 monumental Greek temples are spread along a rocky ridge a short way to the south of the medieval town centre, in a designated archaeological park. The best preserved and must see of the temples are 2 similar buildings attributed traditionally to goddesses Juno Lacinia and Concordia. Apart from the Valley of Temples, many Hellenistic and Roman sites are found in and around Agrigento like a cave sanctuary near a Temple of Demeter, Tomb of Theron, etc. An archeological museum displays finds excavated from the ancient city. The broad Viale della Vittoria, shaded by trees, provides beautiful views of the Valley of the Temples and leads to a square before the station. On the right stands the 16C Church of San Calogero, dedicated to a renowned saint of this locality. Piazza Aldo Moro, where the lovely Via Atenea begins is something not to be missed. Further down from this is the Palazzo Celauro known for Goethe’s break in his Grand Tour and the Franciscan Church of the Immacolata modified in the 18th century. On the right of the church the façade of 14 century Conventino Chiaramontano can be seen which has a style of the portal between the two light windows as its name depicts. Piazza del Purgatorio overlooked by the façade of San Lorenzo, a splendid sight with its interior containing stuccoes by Serpotta and a painting by Guido Reni is another of the list of not-to-be-missed. The Town Hall, previously a Dominican monastery in 17th century stand in Piazza Pirandello adjacent to a church which has a bell-tower in its left . The above mentioned places are just a part of an enthusiastic traveler’s tour plan. Hotel Agrigento ensure that traveler’s stay and enjoy the place, soak in the history and bask in its architectural in comfort. Hotel Agrigento
About the Author
Priya Manavalan, MBA HR is a freelance writer, associated with http://www.operaoflife.com and http://www.mbaguys.net She also writes for various other websites and reviews different tourist destinations.
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