The Puzzling Abode of Controversy: Temple H in Agrigento's Valley of Temples

Situated within the Valley of Temples in Agrigento, the mysteriously contested Temple H, or the Asclepius Temple, is a wonder to behold. Despite its overwhelming Greek grandeur, its specific identification remains a topic of much debate due to its isolation, relative modesty, and age for the Asclepius cult. How peculiar, this Doric temple in antis ascends upon a three-step krepidoma, a base that's wider than the krepidoma itself. Adding to the intrigue, pieces of this temple's intricate trabeation, adorned with lion-head grainde, frieze, and frontal geison, have been unearthed.

But just when you think the mystery is unraveling, here comes the twist: the distance between this temple and the city doesn't match Polybius' description, fueling speculation about the accuracy of his account. And if that isn't enough, a statue of Apollo, masterfully crafted by Mirone, lies somewhere within the temple. However, due to rumors of Verre's theft, documented by Cicero in Verrine, this celestial masterpiece is nowhere to be found. But isn't every good archaeological tale replete with missing masterpieces?

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons