Places of the Myth of Demeter - Ceres: Rock Sanctuary of San Biagio
The site is part of the Places of the Myth of Demeter inserted in Places of Myth and Legends - included in the Register of the Region of Sicily LIM (Places of gods and minor divinities)
Places reported on the IWB:
- Rock Sanctuary (Agrigento)
- Rocca of Cerere (Enna)
- Trapani promontory
- Top of the Etna Volcano (province of Catania)
The following is an excerpt from the sheet Places of the Myth of Demeter.
In Agrigento, on the eastern slopes of the cliff of Athena, the Doric temple of Demeter is still visible, dating back to 470 BC which is partially incorporated into the medieval church of S. Biagio. From the terrace of the church of San Biagio, through a staircase carved into the rock, you reach the underlying sanctuary dedicated to Demeter and Persephone. The place is also known by the name of Rock sanctuary of San Biagio. The Sanctuary is completely excavated inside the hill.
Also in Agrigento, in the center of the valley of the temples, there was a sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone; the site was later occupied by the church of S. Nicola in whose place there is now the National Museum of Agrigento. The sanctuary, which can be traced back to the VI-V century. B.C[1], is now buried by the museum building and is therefore no longer visible; from it come votive and ceramic materials preserved, in part, in the rooms of the National Museum.
[1]F. Coarelli and M. Torelli: Sicily "Archaeological Guides Laterza" p.151.
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: web
Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Region of Sicily
