Giardino della Kolymbetra
Easy to miss behind the Temple dei Dioscuri, the sunken garden was created within what was once a vast "tank" excavated in the stone on the orders of the Tyrant Theron in 480 BC. In time, it was transformed into a lush garden, irrigated by a series of little channels, a technique brought to Sicily by the Arabs, who had learned this craft in the deserts of North Africa. Now planted with citrus, olive, almond, pistachio, pomegranate, and even banana trees, it forms a true oasis, where often the only sound is that of running water. Check their website for seasonal events such as guided tours of the garden and citrus tastings. In order to visit the garden, you must first purchase an access ticket to the Valley of the Temples.
