Wednesday Sept 13 - Ambling through ancient Agrigento

Of course we started the day at the Visitor centre again making phone calls re our missing luggage and, again, tried to source a computer cable. Apparently Sicily doesn’t use computers because no-one had any idea where a computer shop might be. Boarded the bus to Agrigento, a two hour trip that took three hours due to road works, dropping passengers at their front door and driver smokos. Changed bus at Agrigento for the Temple site (Valle dei Templi) an archeological site which encompasses the ruined ancient city of Akragas. The site covers 1,300 hectares – and by the end of the day we felt that we had walked over most of it! A fascinating archaeological site, of which the highlight was the Temple of Concord, a ridge-top temple that served as a beacon for homecoming sailors. It has survived almost intact since its construction in 430BC, partly due to its conversion into a Christian basilica in the 6th century AD. We also viewed Agrigento’s oldest temple, 6th century BC, tombs, altars and a lush garden. Interestingly, the Temple di Giove would have been the world’s largest Doric temple had its construction not been interrupted by the Carthaginian sacking of Akragas. A later earthquake reduced it to today’s ruin. Amidst the rubble is an 8 metre tall telamon (a sculptured figure of a man with arms raised) originally intended to support the temple’s weight. Arrived back at our digs at 7pm, after another extended journey. Early to bed…hot and tired. Tomorrow – Trapani and Erice.