Garden of The Kolymbethra

While enjoying a scenic walk through the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, be sure to visit its remarkable green oasis: the Garden of Kolymbethra, a historic citrus orchard among the most evocative natural and archaeological sites in Sicily. In the 5th century BC this wide valley housed a lush water basin fed by a complex network of underground aqueducts (Hypogea). The wise ruler Theron entrusted the architect Phaeax with designing an innovative hydraulic system for the city. The result was an ingenious and highly functional work that supported the growth of Akragas, which became a wealthy and ambitious city after its decisive victory over the Carthaginians in 480 BC. Much of this system flowed down to the foot of the city, reaching the Kolymbethra: “a vast pool with a perimeter of seven stadia, twenty cubits deep, a nursery of rare flora and abundant wildlife” (Diodorus Siculus, 1st century AD). About a century after its creation, the extraordinary basin was apparently filled in and transformed into a large cultivated garden, made fertile by its irrigation channels.

Remarkably, within the Garden of Kolymbethra part of this ancient hydraulic system still functions today, and visitors can even explore one of the historic Hypogea thanks to the dedicated work of FAI – the Italian National Trust, which after years of meticulous restoration has brought the garden back to its former splendour. With the assistance of specialised staff, visitors can walk through the fascinating 5th-century-BC Hypogeum that connects the Garden of Kolymbethra to Gate V, passing beneath the Sanctuary of the Chthonic Deities. While Sicily is famous worldwide for its oranges, the Garden of Kolymbethra is home to more than 660 citrus trees, nearly half of which belong to rare and ancient varieties. Five hectares of citrus groves, olive trees, almond trees, carob trees and Mediterranean scrub create one of the most enchanting Mediterranean landscapes within the Valley of the Temples.

Since December 2025, the Garden of Kolymbethra has welcomed a new chapter in its story: Case Montana, an eighteenth-century rural farmhouse reopened to the public after a careful restoration carried out by FAI – the Italian National Trust. Overlooking the valley from the ridge opposite the Temple of the Dioscuri, the building was for centuries the home of the family who cultivated these lands and today stands as a precious testimony to the rural culture that shaped the landscape of the Valley of the Temples. The restoration, carried out with full respect for the original materials, preserves the essential character of traditional Agrigento rural architecture while introducing an immersive narrative experience: a video story narrated by actor Vincenzo Pirrotta guides visitors through more than 2,600 years of history, from ancient Akragas to the valley’s long agricultural tradition. With the opening of Case Montana, the Kolymbethra further strengthens its identity as a living museum of Mediterranean agriculture and an extraordinary example of cultural landscape, where archaeology, nature and farming traditions continue to intertwine.

The historic Garden of Kolymbethra is not only a place where nature and history embrace, but also a venue for cultural events. During the summer season in particular, visitors can enjoy sunset music performances, theatre shows and evening concerts, often accompanied by convivial moments featuring wine and traditional Sicilian delicacies. The garden can also be reached via the Valley of the Temples Historic Train operated by Fondazione FS Italiane, which connects Agrigento with Porto Empedocle.