Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Greeks & Romans
The Greeks settled in the 8th century BC and left the most enduring architectural legacy on
the island. Sicily has some of the most impressive Doric temples in the Western world - the
most enchanting are those at the Valle dei Templi (
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)
(Valley of the Temples) in
Agrigento. Other magnificent remains are at Selinunte, followed by those at the Parco Ar-
chaeologico della Neapolis (
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)
at Syracuse. The remains of the city of Segesta
(
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)
form one of the world's most magical ancient sites with a theatre high on the
mountain and a never-completed Doric temple dating from around 430 BC. The Teatro
Greco (
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)
at Syracuse is a masterpiece of classical architecture that could seat
16,000 people, while Taormina's Teatro Greco (
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)
, built in the 3rd century BC, is
the most dramatically situated Greek theatre in the world and the second largest in Sicily,
after Syracuse.
Sicily's most important Roman sight is the Villa Romana del Casale (
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) in
Piazza Armerina. It holds a stunning array of colourful floor mosaics that have been newly
restored and date from the 3rd century.
Some of the most impressive Doric temples in the Western world are to be found on this island - the best
are at Agrigento's Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi).
