The Temple of Concordia is not just a temple, it is not just a set of columns rising towards the sky of Sicily. The Temple of Concordia in Agrigento is an experience, a plunge into a past that still resonates between the stones, a silent dialogue with the harmony ofGreek art. Crossing the threshold of the Valley of the Temples means embarking on a journey back in time, and the Temple of Concordia is its beating heart, a vision that enchants and invites discovery.
Akragas, the ‘Most Beautiful City of the Dead’: A Context of Splendour
To fully understand the magnificence of the Temple of Concord, it is necessary to take a step back to the founding of Akragas in 580 BC. Greek colonists from Gela and Rhodes chose this strategic site, a plateau overlooking the sea, protected by hills and rich in natural resources. In a short time, Akragas became one of the most flourishing poleis of Magna Graecia, a centre of political, economic and cultural power.
Under the tyranny of Theron (488-472 BC) and later during the democratic period, Akragas experienced its apogee. The city was enriched with impressive public works, including a 12-kilometre-long wall and, above all, a series of Doric temples that still bear witness to the grandeur of that period. These temples, aligned along the southern ridge of the city, formed a kind of ‘sacred hill’, a panorama that was meant to inspire awe and admiration in anyone approaching Akragas from the sea.
The Temple of Concordia, erected between 440 and 430 BC, fits into this context of extraordinary artistic and architectural flourishing. The traditional attribution to Concordia (a Roman deity) is late and unsubstantiated; more likely the temple was dedicated to a Greek deity, perhaps Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri), protectors of seafarers, a plausible hypothesis given its proximity to the sea. Other interpretations, based on minor sources and findings, propose Demeter and Persephone, consistent with the area’s agricultural role.
The transformation into a Christian basilica in the 6th century A.D., by Bishop Gregory of Agrigento, marked a radical change in the building’s function but, paradoxically, contributed decisively to its preservation, preserving it from the spoliation and destruction that affected other temples in the Valley.
Doric Architecture: Perfection Achieved
The Temple of Concord is a textbook of in situ Doric architecture. It is a peripteral hexastyle temple, with six columns on the short sides and thirteen on the long sides, creating a portico (peristasis) surrounding the cella (naos), the sacred heart of the temple, where the statue of the deity was kept.
The columns, made of local tuff (a soft limestone), are tapered upwards and have 20 sharp-edged grooves, a characteristic feature of the Doric order. A fine detail, which escapes superficial observation, is theentasis, a slight bulge in the shaft of the column, about one third of its height. This optical device served to correct the natural tendency of the human eye to perceive straight lines as slightly concave, giving the column a more slender and harmonious appearance.
The Doric capitals, consisting of an echinus (shaped like a cushion) and an abacus (shaped like a parallelepiped), support the entablature. The latter is composed of a plain architrave and a frieze, alternating metopes (quadrangular panels that were originally carved or painted, unfortunately almost completely lost) and triglyphs (decorative elements with three vertical grooves).
The temple roof consisted of a pitched roof, supported by wooden beams and covered with terracotta tiles. The two pediments, the triangular surfaces at the ends of the roof, were probably decorated with sculptures in the round, which have also been lost. A remarkable element, still visible today, are the traces of polychrome stucco that originally covered the entire surface of the temple.
This detail, often overlooked, reminds us that Greek temples were not white and monochrome as we see them today, but brightly coloured, with shades that were meant to accentuate the plasticity of the forms and the richness of the decorations.
Harmony as Principle: A Dialogue between Art and Mathematics
The uniqueness of the Temple of Concord lies not only in its preservation, but also in its formal perfection. Greek architects did not limit themselves to constructing functional buildings, but sought to embody in their designs an ideal of beauty based on harmony and proportion.
The Doric canon, which finds one of its highest expressions in the Temple of Concord, is based on precise mathematical relationships between the different parts of the building. The diameter of the column, for example, is used as a module to determine the dimensions of all the other architectural elements. This system of proportions, based on simple and rational ratios, gives the temple a sense of balance and unity, which is also perceived at an unconscious level.
The temple’s harmony extends to its relationship with the surrounding landscape. Its position, on a ridge overlooking the Valley of the Temples, creates a visual dialogue between the work of man and nature. The temple does not impose itself on the landscape, but integrates into it, becoming part of a harmonious and evocative whole.
A Journey through Time: Experience the Temple of Concordia, Not Just Admire It
To visit the Temple of Concordia is not just to see an ancient monument, but to immerse oneself in a unique atmosphere that evokes the greatness of Greek civilisation. To walk among its columns, to observe the architectural details, to admire the surrounding panorama, is to have an experience that involves all the senses.
For the visitor: Access to the temple is regulated by the opening hours of the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park. It is advisable to enquire in advance and, if possible, to book the visit. The cost of the ticket varies according to the options (single visit, combined visit, reductions).
Suggestions for the experience: * Light: The temple offers different suggestions depending on the light. Early morning and late afternoon, with the grazing light, enhance the plasticity of the forms and the warm colour of the stone. Sunset, in particular, provides an unforgettable spectacle. * Perspective: Observe the temple from different angles, both up close and from a distance.
Notice how the perception of proportions and the relationship with the landscape changes. * Details: Do not limit yourself to an overall view, but dwell on the details: the fluting of the columns, the capitals, the remains of polychrome stucco. These details tell the story of the temple and the skill of the craftsmen who built it. * Audio Guide or Guide: An audio guide or expert guide can greatly enrich the experience, providing detailed information about the history, architecture and significance of the temple. Consider a tour that includes a visit to the Regional Archaeological Museum ‘Pietro Griffo’.
A Heritage to Preserve, a Legacy to Live
The Temple of Concordia is much more than an archaeological find. It is a symbol of Sicily, a bridge between past and present, a work of art that continues to inspire and excite. It is a heritage of humanity that we have a duty to preserve and enhance, but above all, to experience. A visit to the Temple of Concordia is not just an act of knowledge, but an aesthetic and emotional experience that enriches our understanding of the world and ourselves. It is an invitation to rediscover the beauty, harmony and depth of classical culture, a heritage that belongs to us all.