Valley of the Temples, located near the city of Agrigento in Sicily, is one of the most outstanding examples of art and architecture of Magna Graecia, as well as one of the main attractions of the island and a national monument of Italy. In 1997, the area of the valley was included in the UNESCO world Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.

I must say that the term "valley" in this case is not quite correct, because the place is located on the ridge outside of Agrigento. Here are the ruins of seven churches, built in the Doric style. Most of the excavations in the valley and further restoration of churches was held thanks to the efforts of the famous Italian archaeologist Domenico Antonio Lo Phase Pietrasanta, from 1809 to 1812 years bore the title of Duke of Serradifalco. In addition, here in the valley, is the so-called Tomb of Theron, a huge pyramid – shaped monument made of tufa and, as suggested, is dedicated to the memory of the Romans, killed during the Second Punic war.

The temple of Juno, Laconia was built on an artificial elevation of about 450 B. C. He was the size 38, 1 x 16, 9 meters and was surrounded by 19 columns. The building was severely damaged during the fire in 406 BC and was restored in the Roman era. Today of the former splendour preserved only the front colonnade with part of the architrave and frieze. Nearby burial Byzantine period.

North of the temple Lacinia is called the temple of castor and Pollux, which actually was built in the 19th century from various parts of the other temples. It consists of 4 columns and entablature placed on a base of an ancient temple size 31 x 13, 3 meters.

The temple of Concordia, thanks to its excellent condition, is considered one of the most important buildings of the Greek civilization, which survived until our days. It has about the same dimensions as the temple of Lacinia and is also surrounded by columns. Outside and inside its walls were covered with stucco, and the roof was covered with marble tiles. In Byzantine times, the temple was converted into a Christian Church: pagan altar was destroyed, and in the Eastern corner built the sacristy. Burial around the temple belong to the Middle ages.

The temple of Asclepius, built in the late 5th century BC, stands in the center of the plains of San Gregorio. It is much smaller than the previous temples, and historians still doubt his purpose. In the sanctuary of the temple one can see a bronze statue of Apollo of the Greek sculptor Myron – the gift of the Roman General Publius Cornelius Scipione.

The temple of Hercules was built in the late 6th century BC, and is considered one of the first temples built during the reign of Theron. However, different parts of the temple are different ages, which suggests that it was built for a long time or has been rebuilt. This is one of the largest temples in the valley – it has dimensions of 67*25, 3 meters and is surrounded by 21 Doric column. In its Eastern part, is preserved remains of a large altar.

On the other side of the road leading through the Golden Gate of the ancient city, lies the plain with a huge Olympic field, on which stands the temple of Zeus and a few other buildings that were closed at the time of the excavations. From the former majestic temple ruins – destruction began in antiquity and continued until the 18th century when the building was used as a quarry for the construction of the town of Porto Empedocle.

Here is the temple of Vulcan, built in the 5th century BC, Its scenery, created in 560-550 B. C., were recently renovated.