Breathtaking Temples Agrigento, Sicily

Our first overseas trip, about 25 years ago, I was fortunate to spend time in Italy and Sicily.  My Grandparents (both sides) came to America in the early 1900's and kept their traditions alive, so I grew up with the influence of their lives in the "old country".

My paternal grandparents were born in Sicily and my heart told me I had to go there.  I prepared for this trip with many weeks of research.  History has always been my passion so I was in heaven; however, I was just a bit obsessive so some nights I could feel my brain churning, trying to process all the information.  During this research, I happened on Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples.  Believe me nothing can prepare you for this incredible sight.  

It’s a 3-hour drive from Taormina and as we approached Agrigento needed to ask directions.  What a comedy! 

If you have had the experience of getting directions in Italy, when your language skills are thin, well, you can just imagine.....lots of arm waving, attempts with other languages, grasping about every 5th word and lots of smiling.  Finally, I decided I could direct Sam to our destination (no stress here).

We drove through Agrigento proper, rounded a bend and unbelievably before our eyes, a slope of ground, heading toward an incredibly emerald green Mediterranean Sea, strewn with Greek Temples.  We held our breath. The feeling of being thrown back over 3 thousand years was overwhelming.  

The temples were in various states, except the Temple of Concordia, which is most complete, and is said to be the best-preserved Greek Temple in Europe.  The exacting beauty of these majestic buildings kept us entranced for hours. And the colors!  Bright blue skies, golden temples, ancient silvery olive trees, green-blue cypress trailing to the sparkling emerald sea!

I read a wonderful statement about the architects and builders of these masterpieces.  "They built their temples like they were going to live forever, and they ate like they were going to die tomorrow"  

It was my incredible luck to revisit the Valley of the Temples during another Sicily Workshop and I was again brought up short by its tremendous beauty.  I know this was also true for the guests in our group.

When you have the opportunity to visit Sicily, make the trek to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, you will not regret the effort. 

Ciao!