The first temples and the cult of Demeter and Persephone

The senses tell The Temple of Asclepius

hearing
The night-time silence that fell on the Sanctuary

The Sanctuary of Asclepius was located outside the walls of Agrigento, far from the noise of the city. It was a very quiet place, where the sick had to rest to heal: for this reason its atmosphere was very relaxing.
Patients would be lulled by the sounds of the surrounding nature or the rustling of water in the fountain at the entrance as they carried out their daily activities.
Then at night, the priests and priestesses had everyone remain silent, lying down, to await their healing; so the noises of the day vanished and the people were left alone in the company of silence.

smell
The scent of nature

The Sanctuary of Asclepius is completely surrounded by nature.
When you visit, it is easy to be carried away by the smells and scents given off by the plants. Particularly after rain, the smell of the wet fields is so strong that it remains indelibly in the mind.

From pagan cults to Christian worship: the Church of St. Gregory

The Temple of Concordia

Akragas in the beginning

The cult of Demeter and Persephone

The sanctuary of the chthonic deities

Theron, tyrant of the arts and victories

Reinforcement of natural ramparts

Phalaris, the terrible tyrant

The walls of Akragas in the fifth century BC

The lively decorations of the temple

The Twelve Labours of Heracles

The Temple of Heracles

The most beautiful city of mortals

The Eleusinian mysteries

The Temple of Hera Lacinia

Sacrifices for the goddesses that made the fields fertile

Empedocles, the political philosopher

The Sanctuary of Asclepius: a place of welcome for the sick

The Temple of Asclepius

The Kolymbetra Garden

The Akragas building sites

A monument for the victory over Carthage: the Temple of Olympian Zeus

Vegetation in the Gardens

The Temple of Demeter