Itineraries
Let’s start by visiting the old town with its small roads which bring us back to Arabic and Norman periods when can admire in silence from the summit of the city the wonderful
“Valley of the Temples” the white branches of the almond trees in bloom during February or the orange of the ruins at sunset. Within the valley we can admire the very simple silhouette of San Nicola Church where we will find Fedra’s sarcophagus, nearby there is the museum which holds the marble perfection of the Ephebe and the beautiful greek vases.
Agrigento is, also, the place where Pirandello’s novels were set, the land where on San Calogero’s feast day popular traditions take place; it is a a blast of nature in the African sea, with the brilliant white marl of the Turkish Steps and the fascinating Kolymbetra Garden.
It’s also a blaze of colours and shapes in the “frutta di marturana” (fruit made of an almond mixture) the delicate taste of the “cassata di ricotta” a cake made with fine ricotta cheese and our wonderful cakes made with pistacchio.
It’s a meeting of cultures, with its breathtaking scenery, lots of traditions and amazing food: all this can be found in this wonderful place.
In the old town you can visit San Gerlando’s Cathedral, The Lucchesiana Library, Saint Lorenzo’s Church, The Mudia Museum, Saint Maria of the Greeks Church, Saint Spirito’s Abbey, The Pirandello Theatre, Palazzo dei Filippini.
In The Valley of the Temples which in 1998 was declared by Unesco a “World Heritage Site” the various temples Concordia, Giunone Lacina and Ercole, and the ruins of the other doric temples:
Giove Olimpico, Castore and Polluce, Esculapio, Vulcano.
Within the Valley there is a Hellenistic Roman Area, S. Nicola’s Church beside Falaride’s Oratory.
The regional archaeological museum which contains many interesting objects found over the years, an important collection of greek vases with red inserts the marble statue of Efebo. The Kolymbetra Garden and not far away the home where Luigi Pirandello was born.
At Favara the wonderful Chiaramontano Castle, Madonna del Carmine Church, Madre Church with its large dome and the amazing 16th century painted ceilings of the Rosario Church
Very inviting for its modern trends you can find “Farm Cultural Park” within the old town
Although Naro is mainly a baroque town it also contains ruins that show the arabic and norman domination and sicilian gothic architectural masterpieces. The Chiaramontano Castle and Old Cathedral are fascinating, the XVII century Cathedral and San Calogero’s Sanctuary, Saint Catherine’s Church. The Grafic Arts Museum is a place to visit.
Palma di Montechiaro is home to the story of the Gatttopardo. The Chiesa Madre and Ducal Palace, Saint Mary of the Rosary Church, The Benedettine Monastery and the Chiaramonte Castle which was owned by the Lampedusa family until the death of Giuseppe Tommasi in 1957.
Mussomeli which stands on a very prominant hill from where the amazing Chiaramonte Castle looks down on a vast valley.
Caltabellotta in the higher part of the town there is the Chiesa Madre and The Castle. The Saint Pellegrino Hermitage and Saint Augustine’s Church permeate the place of sacredness and serenity.
A must is the Greek Theatre and the archeological site of Eraclea Minoa where you can find the Hellenistic Sanctuary and Hellenistic ruins. At the entrance of the archaeological park there is also a small Antiquarium.
Place of naturalistic and landscape interest are:
Realmonte with the white coast of the Turkish Steps, steps that have been formed naturally with wind corrosion, beautiful for its clear blue sea and the white marl cliff and the amazing brightness reflected
At Siculiana there is a nature reserve around Torre Salsa, a WWF oasis.
At Montallegro there is the Lipu Oasis and Lake Gorgo as well as the Bovo Marina Bay.