Church of Santa Maria dei Greci in Agrigento

La Church of Santa Maria dei Greci Agrigento it is certainly a place to be discovered. It stands on Girgenti hill and it is remarkably important, since it corresponds to a ancient temple dedicated to Athena or Zeus. Here's what you need to know about a relevant structure under both religious and cultural aspects.

Brief history of the Church of Santa Maria dei Greci in Agrigento

The Church of Santa Maria dei Greci is characterized by a history full of charm. Its construction dates back to a period between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, rising on the ashes of the ancient city of Akragas and near a Doric temple. This is clearly visible at some columns and capitals. The Church was occupied since ancient times by a group of Greek religious, who made it an Orthodox cathedral. Only later did the building acquire the status of a Catholic residence. The coat of arms dedicated to the Pujades family is also very iconic.

Church architecture and artwork

The Church of Santa Maria dei Greci in Agrigento stands out for a simple and essential facade, which gives a sense of severity typical of its era of origin. The entrance is embellished by a portal with an arched shape, with three naves inside. The central nave has a fourteenth-century wooden ceiling, while on the walls there are several frescoes, all arranged around a triumphant Madonna with a child in her arms. Unfortunately, much of this painting devoted to Our Lady of the Milk it is barely visible, while other paintings depict some scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.

On the walls of the Church, the signs of the Triple Wall are engraved, an esoteric symbol. We are talking about three concentric squares left by many visitors of the past on the sacred places where they went to pray. In the religious structure, the remains of two parliamentary nobles are best preserved in a sarcophagus from 1570. They are Bartolomeo Caputo and Isabella Termini. In some places, the Church shows a plastic floor transparent that projects onto theancient temple, in addition to the strainer and a XNUMXth century crypt.

What to do near the Church of Santa Maria dei Greci Agrigento

The Church of Santa Maria dei Greci offers various opportunities to those who intend to visit it. In fact, the city of Agrigento is considered a real pearl of Sicily thanks to a set of very strong suggestions. There is really a lot to see in these parts, such as the famous for example Valley of the Temples, considered as the local attraction par excellence and also includes the temples dedicated to Juno and Concordia. Also interesting is the Regional archaeological museum, cosím come il Transfer market , Scala dei Turchi. For those who love unspoiled nature, here it is Torre Salsa Nature Reserve, where you can experience truly suggestive excursions. Finally, among other religious structures, a visit to the famous cannot be missed Holy Spirit Monastery.

How to reach Agrigento

To reach Agrigento by car, just take the State Road 115 and follow the signs to arrive at the Valley of the Temples. By train, the Agrigento Centrale railway station is fully integrated into the city hub.

© Image by Mboesch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons