Temple of Demeter, Agrigento, Italy

The so-called Temple of Demeter (the remains of which are located below of the church of San Biagio) can be dated between 480 and 470 BCE. This temple offers an interesting example of distylous building in antis, i.e.without an outer colonnade. It has a simple cella preceded by a pronaos (ante-room) with two columns.

Still preserved from the original structure are the base (30 by 13 m approx and partly visible), the outer cella walls and the wall between the cella and the pronaos. These remaing parts have been incorporated in the medieval church dedicated to St. Biagio. The beautiful water spouts in the shape of lion’s heads from this building can still be seen in the Regional Archaeological Museum of Agrigento in the room dedicated to architectural sculptures.

The Temple of Demeter in the classical period was part of a temenos, a sacred enclosure that included other adjacent structures, such as two small round altars with a central bothros or holy well. Inside, archaeologists found kernoi (ritual vessels linked to the cult of Persephone) and the remains of busts that must have represented Demeter.

References:

Valle dei Templi

User Reviews

Carmelo Sanzo (2 years ago)
The church of San Biagio was built on a base of a Greek temple (temple of Demetra) the remains of the temple are visible but what struck me the most is the panorama that overlooks the whole valley is breathtaking, yes accessed on foot from the nearby cemetery of Buona Morone but I guarantee you that it is worth a visit

Fabio Siracusa (3 years ago)
Inside it is very similar to the Church of Santa Maria dei Greci. Surely it would be valued and admired by tourists. Phenomenal panoramic view.

Carola Perna (4 years ago)
In this place you can enjoy the beauty of nature as well as a beautiful view of the temples.

Laura Danile (5 years ago)
My place of the heart

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These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Temple of Demeter

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