Shrine of Demeter and Persephone

Description (Local Name: Santuario Rupestre di Demetra) A stairway takes the visitor down to the rock-shrine of Demeter and Persephone (Santuario Rupestre di Demetra), carved into the steep slope of the Rupe Atenea. This, the oldest place of worship in Agrigento, is thought to date back to the seventh century B.C., in other words to pre-Greek times. It consists of a narrow chamber in the rocks, behind which can be found two caves. These contain springs, the waters of which are fed through several basins into the courtyard. The discovery of votive offerings has made it possible to attribute the shrine definitely to the mystery cult goddess Demeter and her daughter. Hobbies & Activities category: Cave; Architecture - Roman, Greek, classical; Well, spring, oasis, aqueduct