Tempio di Ercole
Tempio di Ercole
4.5
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Temporarily Closed until April 3, 2020 Built to honor the god Hercules in the early 6th century, this is Agrigento's oldest temple that was constructed over a structure of 38 columns, of which only eight are still standing.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
599 reviews
Excellent
342
Very good
202
Average
49
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Vadim
Murmansk, Russia26,550 contributions
Jul 2019
The temple of Hercules is the oldest in the Valley. The name itself goes back to Cicero, but not the fact that the Sicilian Greeks dedicated the temple to Hercules. Its priority in age is also hypothetical. It is based on a construction style different from that of other temples in the Valley. Only 9 columns out of 38 remain from the temple. These columns were still lying on the ground at the end of the eighteenth century, when Goethe visited Agrigento and described the temple. They were put in a vertical position in the XX century during the reconstruction. Our imagination tells us that it was a magnificent building. The second largest In the valley of temples. However, the color of this temple was not Golden like that of the Sandstone from which columns and blocks were cut, but bright red and bright blue. The temple was covered with mosaic plaster.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Israel R
Ra'anana, Israel16,126 contributions
Jul 2019
8 Doric marble pillars are the only remains left of the Temple of Hercules, the oldest temple in the Valley of the Temples, which was used in ancient times by both the Greeks and the Romans. In the year 1924, during the renovation process, these eight pillars were returned to their original location. People who visit this temple do not miss the wonderful view from it.
Written June 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele Amico🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
Caltanissetta, Italy2,871 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
Here we are in the city of Agrigento, in Sicily. In the ancient Greek Temples Valley you could appreciate the "Ercole Temple".
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
redeco
Warren, MA9,464 contributions
Mar 2011
The Temple of Heracles is the oldest of the temples at Agrigento and was built in the Sixth Century BC. The original plan consists of an elongated rectangular design with 38 columns. Only eight columns still stand.
This site requires a little more imagination that the Temple of Concord because most of the columns tumbled down during earthquakes and the stones are in disarray. However, the site reveals to the interested visitor some of the building details that can't be seen when columns are still standing. Notice the square holes that keep column drums aligned.
This temple, like many of the others in Agrigento, overlooks the Mediterranean. On a sunny day, the tawny color of the columns contrasts brilliantly with the deep blue of the sky and the even richer blue of the water below. Sit for a while; take your hat off and drink in the rays of the sun. Let the light breezes wash over you as you imagine priests in this temple and the faithful outside enjoying a similar beautiful day over 2500 years ago. Close your eyes for a minute and enjoy.
This site requires a little more imagination that the Temple of Concord because most of the columns tumbled down during earthquakes and the stones are in disarray. However, the site reveals to the interested visitor some of the building details that can't be seen when columns are still standing. Notice the square holes that keep column drums aligned.
This temple, like many of the others in Agrigento, overlooks the Mediterranean. On a sunny day, the tawny color of the columns contrasts brilliantly with the deep blue of the sky and the even richer blue of the water below. Sit for a while; take your hat off and drink in the rays of the sun. Let the light breezes wash over you as you imagine priests in this temple and the faithful outside enjoying a similar beautiful day over 2500 years ago. Close your eyes for a minute and enjoy.
Written April 20, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hhm501
Wellington, UK272 contributions
Oct 2019
So many temples along this route to compare and admire! It must have been spectacular in its heyday. This is a must visit!
Written October 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KStulga1
Waterford, VA200 contributions
Sep 2019
Worth the 12 euro/person admission to seek Greek ruins at their best. Plenty of photo and educational opportunities await you on your journey from one end of the park to the other. Park in one of the parking lots at the end of the park [lower take a taxi 3 euro/person to the upper entrance] and walk down at your own pace. Have cash to pay the automated parking attendant prior to getting into your car and leaving the lot.
Written September 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna G
McLean, VA37 contributions
Sep 2019
Not much to see here and you have to stay at pretty poor hotels to see it. Go to Baalbek or bet yet, Greece. Do not waste your rime on this one. A remarkable feat of marketing.
Written September 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Texas Traveler 58
Houston, TX102 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
You cannot imagine what you feel or see when you get to this site. Words do not do it justice from the standpoint of giving you a feel for life over 2000 years ago. While you can see similar in Greece, this has a better "feel" for life at that time.
Written August 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fawn_7
Las Vegas, NV117 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
If you aren't going to view all the temples in the Temple Valley, I would view this one because it seemed to be the most complete one. However, it could be better maintained, and there could be alot more information posted at the site about the temple. I think that how you experience this temple will depend on the quality of the guide with whom you view the temple. Unfortunately, we didn't have a very good guide, so that may affect my view of the temple.
Written June 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marie S
Vellinge, Sweden110 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
This part of the Valle dei Templi is one of the first you'll see when you arrive to the valley. Everything is very well kept and if you visit in the evening you will see them perfectly lit with
Written July 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
biduxerem
Rio de Janeiro, RJ27 contributions
Estando na Sicilia como faço para visitar o Vale
Urban Traveler
Buenos Aires, Argentina9,163 contributions
Oi! Eu sugiro viajar desde Palermo pois a viagem de tren são duas houras e é muito fácil de chegar.
Você pode percorrer o complexo em medio-dÃa (3 hs).
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Frequently Asked Questions about Tempio di Ercole
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Tempio di Ercole Information
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