did you know that some of the most well preserved examples of ancient greek architecture are located in sicily? the greeks colonized sicily from around the 8th-3rd centuries BCE. so, my husband, bob, and i were excited to visit some of the greek archaeological sites during our recent vacation to sicily.
map of greek archaeological sites in sicily
photo credit best of sicily
in ancient greece, there were two kinds of sacred buildings, theaters and temples.
in the theaters, the ancient greeks held celebrations in honor of dionysus, the god of wine. greek tragedy developed from these celebrations. stone theatres were built in a semicircular shape, with tiered ledges for seating (cavea or theatron) surrounding the stage (orchestra), where the altar of dionysus (thymele) was located. the chorus entered from either side of the stage and surrounded the altar. the backdrop for scenery (proscenium) and the backstage (skene) were located behind the orchestra. the natural surroundings also acted as scenery.
teatro greco | 3rd century BCE | parco archeologico della neapolis | siracusa, sicily
the cavea or theatron | teatro greco | 3rd century BCE | parco archeologico della neapolis | siracusa, sicily
the orchestra | teatro greco | 3rd century BCE | parco archeologico della neapolis | siracusa, sicily
photo credits rilievoarcheologico.it and lisa walsh | innerspace
return.
the proscenium | teatro antico di taormina | 3rd century CE | taormina, sicily
the theater could be either greek or roman
part of the proscenium is still standing
the theater is now used as a concert venue
photo credit strettoweb.com
in the temples, the ancient greeks held rites and sacrifices in honor of a god or goddess. at the heart of the temple, an oblong chamber called the cella housed a statue of the god or goddess. the pronao (antechamber) was located in front of the cella. while, the opisthodomo (treasury) was located behind it. a peristyle (colonnade) surrounded the building, which was constructed on a stepped foundation. the columns, which supported the architrave (main beam) were erected on the stylobate, the highest step of the foundation.
some of the most extraordinary existing doric temples are located in sicily.
diagram of the doric order
photo credit jtrullin
the entablature | tempio della concordia | 440-430 BCE | parco valle dei templi | agrigento, sicily
the columns | tempio della concordia | 440-430 BCE | parco valle dei templi | agrigento, sicily
the stylobate | tempio della concordia | 440-430 BCE | parco valle dei templi | agrigento, sicily
tempio della concordia | 440-430 BCE | parco valle dei templi | agrigento, sicily
the temple is well preserved because it was converted into a christian basilica during the 6th century CE
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
plan | tempio della concordia | 440-430 BCE | parco valle dei templi | agrigento, sicily
the roof was accessed via stairs, located on both sides of the entrance to the cella
photo credit parcodeitempli.net
tempio di giunone (hera lacinia or juno) | 450-440 BCE | parco valle dei templi | agrigento, sicily
the columns were re-erected in the 18th century
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
plan | tempio di giunone (hera lacinia or juno) | 450-440 BCE | parco valle dei templi | agrigento, sicily
photo credit parcodeitempli.net
tempio di giove olimpico (zeus) | 488-472 BCE | parco valle dei templi | agrigento, sicily
described in ancient texts as the largest doric temple in the western greek world
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
plan | tempio di giove olimpico (zeus) | 488-472 BCE | parco valle dei templi | agrigento, sicily
photo credit parcodeitempli.net
tempio di ercole (eracle or hercules) | 6th century BCE | parco valle dei templi | agrigento, sicily
the eight columns on the south side were re-erected in 1921
photo credits lisa walsh | innerspace
tempio di ercole (eracle or hercules) | 6th century BCE | parco valle dei templi | agrigento, sicily
photo credit parcodeitempli.net
the valle dei templi contains more monuments, including some temples that remain in ruins, and one temple that was reconstructed during the 19th century from architectural elements of different periods. and, a garden, originally planted around 500 BCE, that has been restored by the fondo ambiente italiano (fai), the italian national trust.
if you need a break from the tourist filled archaeological park, you can stroll through the five hectare (12 acre) giardino della kolymbetra, which is located on the south side of the valle dei templi. in the garden, the terraces are planted with mediterranean botanical specimens. and, a cane lined stream runs through the valley, which is cultivated with fruit and nut orchards, as well as citrus and olive groves.