Agrigento, in southern Sicily, is one of the poorest cities in Italy with a 19% unemployment rate reported in 2010, ongoing activity of the mafia and organized crime. Aside from this, it's one of the most beautiful cities, sitting on a plateau with some of the most well preserved remnants of the Greek colonists Gela, who named it Akragas. Established between 582-580 BC. The Romans captured it in 210 BC and renamed it Agrigentum. It remained a largely Greek speaking community for centuries and when the Roman empire became prosperous, its inhabitants received full Roman citizenship after the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BC.
I arrived at the Valley of the Temples at 5pm and entry was free (maybe because of the time). There was a special international event going on and because of this the park was open till 8pm instead of the normal closing time of 7pm. The temples and ruins are spread out and so a good amount of walking is required to see everything.
Concordia, shown above and below is the best preserved of the temples.
The standing pillars are amazing to see and beside them the foundation of what once was there lets your imagination put the pieces together.
