Province of Agrigento, Sicily, ItalyThe weather wasn't much better in the morning, so after a brief walk of the beach and town we were on the road again . . . headed to Agrigento.
Decided it was best to stop en route to visit the Villa Romana Del Casale, a Late Roman Villa dating from the late 3rd/early 4th century AD.
Magnificent floor mosaics, in all the rooms . . . depicting mythology, domestic life, hunting, the ten girls in bikinis . . . and much more.
Crowded and a little more regimented than we had expected -- thought we would just meander through the castle but it was a designated route that kept us away from the amazing mosaic floors (makes sense if they want to preserve them). Thanks to Jo & Andy for recommending we make this one of our stops!
We arrived in sunny Agrigento around 4 . . . found our B&B sometime before 5! It's at the bottom of a steep, narrow road . . . YIKES! Good thing there's a car park around the corner (8 euros a day so we don't have to deal with the street or parking). So, we have a suite! Bedroom, separate dining room/sitting room AND we take breakfast in our dining room --room service at a B&B!!!
Fantastic views of both the old town and the Valley of The Temples. Best yet . . . best ever!
Thursday morning we set off walking to the Valley of the Temples. It's about 45 minutes from our B&B, all downhill (all uphill coming back!).
Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples was the site of Akragas, a city founded around 580BC it prospered until it was conquered and destroyed by the Carthaginians in 406. Over the centuries it was under Roman, Arab and Norman control. It was rediscovered and restoration work began in the 19th century.
We spent about 2 1/2 hours exploring the 2.5 km site . . .
The Archaeological Park of Agrigento has recently introduced some goats of a native species at the risk of extinction ...the girgentana goat, with its typical twisted horns.
Time to decide what to do tomorrow and where to eat tonight!
2025-05-23