Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
portal leads inside, where the nuns are still in residence, praying, meditating and baking
heavenly pastries, including
dolci di mandorla
(almond pastries), pistachio
cuscusu
and
bucellati
(rolled sweet dough with figs). To buy some, press the doorbell, say
'Vorrei
comprare qualche dolce'
('I'd like to buy a few cakes') and see how you go.
9am-1pm & 3-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat)
is worth a quick visit as much for the views over the Val-
ley of the Temples as its poorly labelled miscellany of objects.
Festivals & Events
Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore
A huge folk festival held on the first Sunday in February, when the Valley of the Temples
is cloaked in almond blossom.
CULTURE
Festa di San Calògero
During this week-long festival centred on the first Sunday in July, the statue of St
Calògero (who saved Agrigento from the plague) is carried through town while spectators
throw spiced loaves at it.
RELIGIOUS
Eating
There are a few good trattorias up in Agrigento's historic centre but many of the smarter
restaurants are dotted around the area between the Valley of the Temples and San Leone,
on the sea. Agrigento itself is famous for the unctuous Arab sweet
cuscusu
(looks like se-
molina couscous but is made of almonds and pistachio).
TOP OF CHAPTER
5
Town Centre
Le Cuspidi
GELATO
€
( 092 259 59 14; Viale della Vittoria; ice cream from €1; 9am-late)
This fabulous gelateria is the
perfect antidote to Agrigento's oppressive heat. Especially scrumptious is the pistachio,
flecked with nuts and super creamy.
