Temple of Vulcan

Two surviving columns and the base of the Temple of Vulcan (or Hephaestus) can be found just beyond the Kolymbethra. This temple, which dates back to the late 5^th century BC, is the last temple to be built in the valley and seems to have ‘swallowed up’ an older temple which was incorporated in the inner cella. Even though the temple is in Doric style, it has some Ionic characteristics. Its name derives from a Latin text which refers to the area as “Collis Vulcanius”, possibly due to the presence of sulphur deposits on the hill. Vulcan is a God with a contradictory nature: both constructive and destructive. As the God of Fire he was attributed the power to consume and destroy, thus his forces were invoked to conquer the enemy; according to Plutarch (1^st century AD) this explains why Vulcan’s temples were always erected along the fortified walls of the cities. On the other hand, the God Vulcan is identified with the positive strength of a blacksmith, ‘deus faber’: with his creative force he forges metals and therefore guarantees the manufacture of weapons for the defence of the city and of utensils, jewels, statues and coins for the prosperity of its citizens. The temple is accessible by foot walking trough of Kolymbethra’s garden or by means of the historic train of the Temple Valley by Fondazione FS Italiane, which goes from Agrigento to Porto Empedocle.