Ribera rises on a wide hill not far from Agrigento. It is a big village, famous for its international oranges production, so that it is known as “City of oranges” all over Europe.
Ribera boasts marvellous beaches: “Borgo Bonsignore” is a famous beach area thanks to its uncontaminated coasts and to the natural reserve of “Foce del fiume Platani”. “Piana Grande” is a sandy and pebbled beach where admiring the typical Mediterranean vegetation; it is a really loved place from young people, since the seafront is crowded of people who go there to enjoy themselves in the summer nights. “Secca Grande”, the most renowned beach place of Ribera, is the ideal place for those who love both the uncontaminated beaches and the amusement, since it is full of bars, clubs, restaurants and there are a lot of cultural events and entertainments at nights.
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MAIN ATTRACTIONS:
The Valley of the Temples - Agrigento
The Valley of the Temples is one of the most suggestive attraction of Sicily. It rises in the southern part of the old city and is considered the biggest archaeological park in the world. Among a blooming almond trees countryside, the wonderful ruins of the temples, whose architectural majesty is still intact, will fascinate you.
This archaeological marvel consists of eight temples built in the 5th century BC: the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Heracles, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Hephaestos, the Temple of Demeter, and the Temple of Asclepius (the God of Medicine). The last one is situated on the banks of the Akragas river, all the others are in the same area on a rocky scarp in the southern modern Agrigento.
The Valley of the Temples is the most sublime evidence of the Greek civilization in Sicily until today and it has been an Unesco world heritage site since 1998.
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The Turkish Staircase – Realmonte
“Scala dei Turchi” is a singular white cliff made by limestone and clay which rises along the coast of Realmonte and overlooks a crystalline sea. It has became a tourist attraction for its particular colour and shape; wind and rain have modelled it throughout the time, creating a huge natural staircase whose lines are rounded and irregular. Its white rocks look brighter thanks to the sun light and the water is incredibly clear.. it’s a paradise!
The name comes from the Turkish invasions. According to an old legend, the Saracens got there from the sea and climbed the cliff until the top, once there they attacked the local people.
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Sciacca – Baths and Carnival
Sciacca rises on a famous archaeological place between Selinunte and Agrigento; it is the oldest baths resort of Sicily and one of the biggest town in the south-eastern coast. It is a tourist destination not only for its gorgeous coasts, but also for its Baths and its famous Carnival.
The spa resorts of Sciacca have been famous since antiquity. All its people know the legend telling that Daedalus, expert in labyrinths, was able to channel the hot vapours coming from the fissures of the rock and use them for baths. Very famous are the natural steam caves of St. Calogero, its healthiness attracts not only baths followers but also people who suffer from osteoarthritis and respiratory disease.
One of the most beautiful and oldest carnival in Sicily and Italy takes places in Sciacca; there are six days of celebration with featuring impressive allegorical parades. The atmosphere is full of colour, pure fun and cheerfulness, everyone takes part in celebrations.
