Places of the Myth of Demeter – Ceres: Rock Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone
The site is part of the Places of Myth and Legends - entered in the Register of the Sicily Region LIM (Places of the gods and minor divinities)
Agrigento
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 sanctuary below dedicated to Demeter and Persephone. The place is also known by the name of the 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 is now the National Museum of Agrigento. The sanctuary, which can be traced back to the VI-V century. BC [F. Coarelli and M. Torelli: Sicily “Laterza Archaeological Guides” p. 151], is now buried by the museum building and is, therefore, no longer visible; from it come votive and ceramic materials, partially preserved in the halls of the National Museum.
To read the fact sheet relating to the myth of Demeter, see: Demeter and Persephone - Ceres and Libera
Places reported on the IWB:
- Rupestrian Sanctuary (Church of San Boagio) (Agrigento)
- Rocca of Cerere (Enna)
- Trapani promontory
- Top of the Etna Volcano (province of Catania)
To view the places included in the Myth's LIM on an Interactive Map, see the following web page: The places of Demeter
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: web
Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Region of Sicily
