The ancient Greek city of Selinunte was brought to its knees in 409 BCE by the Cartheginians. Although it was reestablished by the victors, it never reached the same beauty or prominence as it had during the Greek era, when this temple, Temple O, was constructed.
Tag: temple
Piazza Della Vittoria Is A Victory For The Goddess
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…
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.
The Most Sacred Panorama In The Center Of Sicily
Demeter’s view. Back in ancient times on this spot at the top of the mountain on which perches the city of Enna was a temple dedicated to the mother goddess Demeter. As a most significant deity to ancient Greeks and Romans (The Romans called her Ceres.), this protector of fertility, the harvest, and grains was…
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…
They Looked For Love In Erice, Sicily
The town Erice (pronounced Èh-ree-chay) is named for Eryx (or Eros), the mythical son of the goddess Venus and her lover, King Bute of the ancient Elimi tribe (NB that makes the Greco-Roman hero Aeneas his half-brother.). Erice boasts a 12th century Norman castle (pictured), known as Il Castello di Venere or the Castle of…
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…