6 days in Sicily-09/24 - 09/29/2017
Day 5-Agrigento, 09/28/2017
Temple of Juna-Necropolis | Temple of Concordia | Temple of Hercule/Garden | Garden part 2/ Temple of Vulcan |
Temple of Concordia (Tempio Della Cordia)
One of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples in existence, the Temple of Concordia has survived almost entirely intact since it was constructed in 430 BC. It was converted into a Christian basilica in the 6th century and the main structure reinforced, giving it a better chance of surviving earthquakes. Another reason why it has survived while other temples have not, is that beneath the hard rock on which the temple stands is a layer of soft clay that acts as a kind of natural shock absorber, protecting it from earthquake tremors. Whether the Greek engineers knew this when they built the temple is the subject of debate, but modern scholars tend to think they did. In 1748 the temple was restored to its original form.
This Temple is one of the most recognized and important remains of the ancient Greek civilization. It's facade is represented in the iconic UNESCO logo.
Standing almost as it did when it was first built, the temple of Concordia is simply an incredible sight.
The temple at its highest point almost reached 55 foot. Each of the 78 columns measure 20 foot and is decorated with flutes or ridges.
The interior consists of a pronaos (outer part), cella (principal enclosed chamber), and opistodomos (small room in the cella), where treasure, offerings, and public records were kept.
The temple is in such good condition largely because it was converted into a Christian basilica in 597 CE, when the interior was converted into arcades with three naves.
The columns become narrower at the top to make them appear larger but have a bulge two thirds of the way up to counter the narrowing effect... hence they appear to be vertical.
Close look at the columns.
The Temple of Concordia resembles the Temple of Juno, but is better preserved.
The temples have hexastyle columns: six columns in the front of the temple and 13 columns on the sides. In Sicily, 13 is a lucky number. The temples were built in the classical period and used a Doric style.
Built as a Pagan Temple in 430 BC, Concordia
become a Roman Catholic church in 597 at which time it acquired the arched
wall structure within (restored back to a temple in 1748).
Fallen statue of Icarus
There were in the past more than 30,000 goats in the hills and coastal zone of the province. Today, however, this breed is in danger of disappearance.
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The goat has a beard and on its head there is a thick lock that is cut by the breeder to form a "fringe" with the exception of the male goat.
The Girgentana goat has characteristic horns, twisted into a spiral form. It has a long beard and a primarily white coat with grey-brown hair around the head and throat. It has a good production of high-quality milk.
Resting in the shade and enjoying the view of the valley
Minh and Loan also taking a little break before heading to the next temple.
Next...Temple of Hercules