straddling a low ridge to the south of agrigento.
the valley of the temples (valle dei templi) ranks among the most impressive complexes of ancient greek buildings outside greece.
its doric temples, dating from the 5th century bc, were destroyed in part by carthaginian attack in 406 bc.
in the 6th century pious christians, believing the temples to be pagan, wreaked further havoc on them, as did subsequent earthquakes.
the extraordinary ruins in this archaeological zone can be covered in a day, though crowd-free early morning and evening visits are recommended.