“The comune of Ribera is located in the province of Agrigento, at 223 metres above sea level between the Verdura and Magazzolo valleys; it stands in the so-called Plain of San Nicola…in the first half of the 1600s (Ribera) belonged to the Prince of Paternò Luigi Guglielmo Moncada. The Duke of Ferrandina Giuseppe di Toledo successively became the Lord of the town that would annex many of the lands in the surrounding area.

Ribera has much to offer both historically and artistically. Among its major attractions are the birthhome of statesman Francesco Crispi, the 1700s Mother Church and the 1800s Palazzo Municipale.

The population of Ribera is approximately 21,000.” (Wikipedia.)

The Scorsone family is ministering in the town of Ribera, as well as surrounding areas; they use literature and relationship building as a means of reaching the people for Christ. There is an Evangelical Christian church there that the Scorsone’s helped establish.

Ribera has embraced idolatry; they have worshiped idols of Venus to the Madonna; from Zeus to St. Joseph. Unfortunately, idolatry is currently on an incline in Sicily.

About an hour south of Ribera are the ancient Greek ruins of Agrigento. Built on a cliff on the south coast of  Sicily, Agrigento is an ancient Greek city, which also carries the names of Agrigentum, Acragas or Akragas. Being surrounded by two rivers (the Hypsas and Akragas) made it easier to defend the city in war time.

Several ancient remains of the city date back to the 5th century BC, including the temple of Concordia (Roman goddess of harmony), the temple of Zeus (leader of the gods and god of the sky and thunder in Greek mythology), the temple of Heracles (a.k.a. Hercules in Roman mythology). The temple of Concordia is one of the finest structures symbolizing Greek Classicism. The temples were strategically built on the peak of several hills around the city, which dominate the valley famed as “Valle dei Templi”. In the spring, this valley is known for a pleasant scent of orange flowers which are called “zagare” locally.