It’s not lost on me (or my friend, tour guide Rosa Rizza) that when they broke ground in 1973 at Piazza della Vittoria in Siracusa to build the Sanctuary for the Madonna of the Tears, that where they intended to place the church, they discovered the foundation of the late 5th/early 4th century BCE Sanctuary…
Tag: tempio
Sicily’s Graceful Example Of Doric Architecture
The doric temple at Segesta, built c. 420 BCE by a Sicilian architect who was influenced by his Greek forefathers’ design styles, sits in the Trapani Province countryside.
Reaching New Heights In Sicily
I’m on a journey to seek and share joy. Amunì! Let’s go! A photo from May 2019, when I celebrated a joyful day in Selinunte (Photo Credit: Nicholas Gagliano of Studio Uno Photography)
Sicily’s Valley Of The Temples’ First Temple
The Temple of Heracles (or Hercules or il Tempio di Ercole) of Agrigento, Sicily’s Valley of the Temples possesses eight reconstructed, massive Doric-style columns. Built in the late 6th century BCE, it is considered the first temple to have been constructed of the seven that we know of at the Valley of the Temples. Valley…
Selinunte In Western Sicily
Considered Europe’s largest archaeological site, Selinunte was a Greek city built on the southwestern coast of Sicily by colonists from the eastern Sicilian Greek outpost of Megara Hyblea. Founded around 651 BC, it displayed its power by building massive temples dedicated to various gods, like this one pictured, Temple E, which scholars believe was dedicated…
The Graceful Temple At Segesta
The doric temple at Segesta, built c. 420 BC by a Sicilian architect who was influenced by his Greek forefathers’ design styles
Ancient Restaurant Discovered At Himera, Where We’ll Be Cooking
In yesterday’s La Repubblica Palermo newspaper, an article explained that at the site of the ancient Greek city of Himera, they have discovered the 6th Century B.C.E. remains of a caffetteria-style restaurant. Ovens, stoves, pots, pans, and plates have been excavated. I visited Himera and met the director of the site back in June with…
Tour and Cook in Sicily
Live from Sicily! Last evening, I toured Valley of the Temples in Agrigento with the hiking group of wonderful Italians with whom I’ve spent the last two days. The 2500 year-old site, featuring the Temple of Concordia, pictured) continues to amaze me. I want it to amaze you too in September during Stirring Sicily, our…
Sicily’s International Folk Music Festival
Now until March 10 is the annual Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore (Almond Blossom Festival) in Agrigento. The festival is a 10-day extravaganza of events, the heart of which focus on folk music from around the world. I’ve yet to attend the festival that attracts everything from Mexican Mariachi bands to Japanese drummers. During this…
Otherworldly In Agrigento, Sicily
Close your eyes and imagine yourself at the foot of the remains of an ancient Greek temple from the 5th century B.C.E., like the Temple of Castor and Pollux, pictured left. After learning about the thriving civilization that built Agrigento in the centuries before the common era from your archaeologist-guide, you’ll then savor a picnic…