Things to Do in Agrigento

Hidden among the ruins of Greek structures in the Valley of the Temples is the Kolymbetra Garden. This under-appreciated oasis is within sight of some of the temple ruins.

The Kolymbetra Garden (Il Giardino della Kolymbetra) is an archaeological site as well as a garden. The area started as a large pool that was used as a water reserve for the nearby city.  Paths were dug in the area to divert rainfall into rivers that would keep the pool full. References to this pool date back to the 1st century AD, though it’s likely it was dug as far back as the 5th century BC.

When the Moors arrived around the 9th century, they planted a garden in this lush area, digging irrigation channels to funnel the former Kolymbetra pool waters to their garden. Today, the Kolymbetra Garden is a peaceful and shady grove of citrus and other fruit trees, olive trees, palms, almonds trees, as well as many other plants. Parts of the original Kolymbetra pool are still visible, too.

One of the most significant collections in Sicily, the Archaeological Museum of Agrigento displays hundreds of artifacts from the ancient Greek colony of Akragas that once inhabited the area. Akragas proved to be one of the most important settlements of ancient Greece, and the museum has some of the best preserved pieces of Greek art and architecture that exist outside of Greece.

The museum has a impressive amount of large statues from the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site the Valley of the Temples, some dating back to the 1st century. Its permanent collection consists largely of the items excavated when the site was first discovered. Thousands of artifacts, including pottery, jewelry, coins, and art, collectively tell the history of Akragas dating back to prehistory.

Exhibitions are organized in chronological and topographical order, so it’s easy to trace the steps of time from this ancient city to the present. The museum itself sits where the upper agora or town center of Akragas once stood. There’s also a panoramic view of the valley itself from the entrance to the museum.

The House Museum of Soap (Casa Museo del Sapone), created by an artisan soap company in their estate’s historic Sicilian farmhouse, is dedicated to the history and science of soap-making. You can view old presses and agricultural tools, see demonstrations, and even make your own soap during the guided tour.

Surrounded by olive groves in the countryside outside of Sciacca, the House Museum of Soap sits next to the workshops where Saponi e Saponi make their artisan soaps and natural cosmetics from their estate’s extra-virgin olive oil. The 19th-century building that houses the museum was carefully renovated to preserve its original stonework and high ceilings. Then in 2015, the family who owns the company turned the farmhouse into a museum that traces the history of soap dating back to 2800 BC. The museum is open only for guided tours, so you must book ahead to visit; tours of the museum make for a fun day trip from Agrigento and include a workshop where you can make your own soap. 

The House Museum of Soap is located in Contrada Cartabubbo, a country hamlet near Sciacca in the Agrigento area of southwest Sicily. There is no public transportation to the museum, so the best way to visit is by driving or joining a guided tour that includes transportation.

The museum is open year-round. Visits are by prebooked guided tours only, so there are no set hours.

If you would like to explore Sciacca further, consider visiting the Museo del Giocattolo Sciacca, a small but excellent toy museum in the center of town.