AGRIGENTO AND ITS WONDERS
SEA AND NATURE
Agrigento and its territory offer many opportunities for nature lovers, with green areas, beaches and nature reserves.
One of the attractions is the Giardino della Kolymbetra, an ancient reservoir restored by the FAI, which now represents a green oasis. Nearby Leone, 4 km from Hotel Kore, is a popular seaside resort with a long golden beach and lively nightlife.
13 km away is the Scala dei Turchi, a spectacular white cliff, while 25 km away is the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve, managed by the WWF, famous for its fauna and flora. Not far away, Siculiana Marina offers a beautiful beach set among rocks.
Another interesting place is the Riserva Naturale delle Macalube, 16 km away, with its mud volcanoes.
The staff at Hotel Kore is available to provide information and maps to explore these natural wonders.
CULTURE
The territory of Agrigento has been a source of inspiration for many writers and has given birth to famous authors. Luigi Pirandello was born here in 1867, and his “Birthplace-Museum” is a central point of the literary park dedicated to him.
The museum displays photos, memorabilia and original writings that tell the life of the playwright. A few kilometers away, Porto Empedocle is the birthplace of Andrea Camilleri, known for “Inspector Montalbano”, whose novels reflect the local atmosphere. The “Andrea Camilleri Foundation” hosts cultural events.
Leonardo Sciascia was born in Racalmuto in 1921 and his “Foundation” preserves works and an art gallery. Palma di Montechiaro and Santa Margherita Belice, 27 and 90 km from Agrigento, are inspired by “The Leopard” by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, with places such as the Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Filangeri-Cutò.
Although the 1968 earthquake damaged Santa Margherita, Palazzo Filangeri-Cutò is now a “Parco-Museo Letterario del Gattopardo”.
Hotel Kore offers information and maps to explore these places. Pirandello’s Birthplace Museum is 8 km from the hotel.
FOOD AND WINE
Sicilian cuisine is renowned for its variety of flavours and ingredients, the result of influences from the different peoples who have dominated the island throughout history.
Culinary traditions include dishes such as grilled fish and meat, accompanied by typical products such as olives, salted ricotta and fine wines. The Sicilian culinary heritage is enriched by the Arabs, who introduced ingredients such as aubergines, saffron and rice; by the French, with the use of sauces and tarts; and by the Spanish, who brought tomatoes and potatoes.
Typical dishes include caponata, pasta alla norma and arancini. Sicilian pastries are particularly rich and varied, with desserts such as cassata and cannoli, which deserve a special mention.
Visitors can enjoy these delicacies at the Hotel Kore Restaurant, where the staff is ready to provide information and suggestions for exploring the local gastronomy.
ART – MONUMENTS
Agrigento is rich in medieval evidence in its historic center, characterized by narrow streets that wind from Via Atenea towards places of interest such as the Monastery of Santo Spirito, the Church of Santa Maria dei Greci, the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace.
The Monastery, founded in the 13th century by the Chiaramonte family, is known for its mullioned windows and pointed portals, while the Church of Santa Maria dei Greci is built on an ancient Greek temple. The Cathedral, founded by S. Gerlando in the 11th century, is a fusion of various architectural styles. The Bishop’s Palace houses the MUDIA, a diocesan museum that collects sacred objects.
Via Atenea is the beating heart of the city, full of shops and cafes, and also includes art galleries and the Pirandello Theater. 13 km away is the Chiaramontano Castle in Favara and the FARM Cultural Park, while in Naro, 35 km away, you can admire Baroque churches and an imposing medieval castle.
The staff at Hotel Kore is available to provide information and assistance in exploring these wonders.
ARCHEOLOGY
Agrigento, formerly known as Akràgas, was one of the most flourishing Greek colonies in the West in the 5th century BC.
The Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Archaeological Museum of Agrigento bear witness to its ancient grandeur, celebrated by illustrious travellers such as Goethe and Maupassant.
The archaeological area is home to important temples, including the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concordia, considered the best preserved outside of Greece, and the Temple of Hercules, believed to be the oldest in the Valley.
Continuing on, there are the colossal remains of the Temple of Zeus and the area dedicated to the gods of the earth, with the Temple of the Dioscuri and the Garden of Kolymbetra, an oasis of Mediterranean scrub. 50 km from Agrigento is Eraclea Minoa, founded in the 6th century BC by the inhabitants of Selinunte, with an important strategic position.
Here you can admire the remains of walls, residential areas and a theatre, the only Greek theatre in the province.
The staff at Hotel Kore is available to provide information and maps for visiting these places, with the Valley of the Temples located just 3 km from the hotel.
