Reopens the Villa Aurea Garden of Sir Hardcastle, the English captain who revived the Valley of the Temples

The Villa Aurea Garden, home of Sir Alexander Hardcastle, the English captain who revived the Valley of the Temples in the early 20th century, reopens to the public.

The garden blends shrubs, Mediterranean scrub, exotic and rare plants and the remains of an early Christian necropolis; restored and arranged, it is now open to the public from Sunday, August 25, 2019.

Sir Alexander Hardcastle, a British Navy captain who had fought in the British colonial wars, came to ancient Girgenti in 1921 and, as an archaeology enthusiast, was fascinated by what is known as the Valley of the Temples. Although at that time the wonderful archaeological site appeared abandoned. So he decided to breathe new life into that area and did so with the help of archaeologist Pirro Marconi in twelve long years.

He also decided to buy a villa between the Temple of Concord and the Temple of Heracles, naming it Villa Aurea to celebrate the nearby Golden Gate.
He then financed excavation and restoration campaigns and bought land to see the Valley of the Temples reborn, but the Wall Street crash sent him into ruin and he became poor. He was committed to an insane asylum, where he died soon after, but fortunately before he was locked up there he decided to sell Villa Aurea to the state. Since 2008 the Villa has been the representative seat of the Archaeological Park and temporary exhibitions, while its beautiful garden is now open to all visitors.

Admission to the Villa Aurea Garden is included in the entrance ticket to the Valley of the Temples.

Hours: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Ph.Credit Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park

Reopens the Villa Aurea Garden of Sir Hardcastle, the English captain who revived the Valley of the Temples

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