Do you want to know more about Via Atenea in Agrigento? Well, you’re in the right place, so just keep reading our article today. Via Atenea is the main street of the historic center of Agrigento and is indeed considered the city’s “good living room.”
Its winding path extends from Porta di Ponte to Piazza L. Pirandello (also known as Piazza Municipio). Along its entire length, a series of streets and alleys, staircases, and narrow lanes converge. Despite its decidedly medieval appearance, many of the buildings and churches that overlook it have quite interesting Baroque features.
Via Atenea is particularly the most important commercial area of the city, and indeed, it hosts numerous retail and dining establishments that provide a real and tangible contrast to the ancient churches and the most sumptuous noble palaces.
Via Atenea, also known as Via Maestra, has been the main thoroughfare and urban axis of the beautiful city of Agrigento for several centuries. Until 1860, it was largely a simple dirt track, full of holes and large uneven areas. Along the street, you could admire various palaces belonging to the wealthiest families, all characterized by entrance portals, balcony and window frames, and “goose-breast” wrought-iron railings.
With the Unification of Italy, there was a general revival in the city and also in Via Atenea, which began to take on a much more decorous appearance: the route was improved, and the ground was leveled. The dilapidated houses and old shops were eliminated, and new shops and buildings arose in their place, characterized by neoclassical forms and linear architecture.
What to do and where to stay on Via Atenea in Agrigento?
At the beginning of Via Atenea, on the right side, almost adjacent to Porta di Ponte, is the Scalinata Madonna degli Angeli. Originally, it bordered the last stretch of the eastern walls that descended from the top of the Rupe Atenea hill and then connected with Porta di Ponte.
The staircase leads to the church of the same name, and continuing along the path, you find historic buildings belonging to the wealthiest families, whose facades and balconies are adorned with beautiful decorations, some even in relief, as well as columns of various kinds.
The famous Via Atenea in Agrigento is classified as the place where the restricted traffic zone begins. From here, narrow alleys and steep staircases branch out, leading you to visit all the main attractions in this beautiful city of Agrigento.
But where can you stay on Via Atenea? We can certainly recommend Scalia House, an apartment located just 700 meters from the Luigi Pirandello Theater and only 400 meters from Agrigento train station. The apartment offers free WiFi, air conditioning, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Finally, a convenience of this property is that it offers excellent privacy thanks to its independent entrance.
