{"id":67440,"date":"2015-02-22T10:05:00","date_gmt":"2015-02-22T09:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sicile-sicilia.net\/?p=67440"},"modified":"2026-10-12T17:58:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T16:58:07","slug":"rupe-atenea-and-temple-of-demeter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sicile-sicilia.net\/en\/rupe-atenea-and-temple-of-demeter","title":{"rendered":"Rupe Atenea and Temple of Demeter"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Rupe Atenea<\/strong> constitutes the highest point and the natural acropolis of ancient Akragas, dominating to the north the Valley of the Temples<\/a> and bounded to the west by the Girgenti hill.
It served both sacred and defensive functions, while the settlement, sanctuaries and necropolises spread across the plateau and the surrounding hills.
In the Greek period, the city was laid out in terraces, with a 12 km circuit wall that incorporated the Rupe Atenea.<\/p>\n

Rupe Atenea and Temple of Demeter<\/h2>\n

The Rupe Atenea<\/strong> is identified with the ancient Acropolis, to the east of the city, according to Polybius. Temples of Athena and Zeus Atabyrius are mentioned, but have not been found. The site preserves remains of the Temple of Demeter<\/strong> and two defensive towers from the 5th century BC, one of which was covered in the 4th century by a wall linked to artisanal activity. Access begins near the Bonamorone cemetery, along an ancient Greek path cut into the rock. It leads to the medieval church of San Biagio, built on the remains of the temple.
Built around 470 BC, the Temple of Demeter is Doric in style, with a cella preceded by a pronaos and flanked by antae-colonnades. Two circular altars, one of them a bothros, yielded rich votive offerings. The excavations led to the discovery in a nearby cistern of what yielded the Kouros known as the “Ephebe of Agrigento”.<\/p>\n

Rock sanctuary, Casa Morello and itinerary towards Porta I<\/h2>\n
\"Punic<\/a>

Punic quarter, Rupe Atenea<\/p><\/div>\n

The rock sanctuary, leaning against the rocky wall below the temple, combines artificial structures and natural elements. It features a rectangular building on two levels serving as a reservoir, fed by a cuniculus connected to a spring. To the east, communicating basins complete the complex. Its function and chronology are debated: an indigenous cave-sanctuary, an archaic sanctuary or a Hellenistic structure. Architectural features suggest a link with a Punic settlement of the 4th century BC.
The path runs alongside the sanctuary as far as Casa Morello<\/strong>, linked to the fortifications, where remains of sacred areas have been brought to light. The itinerary leads to the remains of Porta I<\/strong> and the tenaille bastion, a defensive structure with an acute angle protecting the weak point of the slope. The southern wall joins a sturdy tower. This complex allows one to observe the strategic organisation and the adaptation of the defensive system to the natural relief.<\/p>\n

Porta II or Porta de Gela quarter<\/h2>\n

The Porta II quarter<\/strong> comprises a residential block about 35 m long, oriented north-east\/south-west, inserted into the urban fabric. It has two terraces, four groups of dwellings and several open areas. The plots alternate according to a regular plan, with small peripheral atriums. The initial phase dates back to the 5th century BC, followed by a restructuring in the 4th century. The “pseudo-timber frame” technique indicates a Punic occupation on a Greek block destroyed in 406 BC.
The Porta II<\/strong> is situated on a natural cut in the rocky slope, allowing the passage of a road towards the city. The defensive walls border the road and are linked to a southern tower. The site features numerous votive niches carved into the wall, as well as a small quadrangular enclosure, bearing witness to a rock sanctuary. <\/p>\n

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