It struck me deeply.
col-PI-to — stress on second syllable. Double 'p' is a geminate — held slightly longer.
Express emotional or intellectual impact after seeing something at the site. 'Colpire' (to strike/hit) is used metaphorically for deep impressions. A sophisticated and commonly used Italian expression.
'Colpire' literally means to hit or strike. 'Mi ha colpito' = it struck me / it hit me (emotionally or intellectually). This is one of the most versatile Italian expressions for conveying impact. Stronger than 'mi è piaciuto' (I liked it) — implies something went beyond mere appreciation.
È stato un'esperienza indimenticabile.
It was an unforgettable experience.
'Indimenticabile' — impossible to forget. Strong superlative of impression.
Non mi aspettavo una tale bellezza.
I didn't expect such beauty.
Expresses being overwhelmed — very natural reaction at Agrigento.
Questo posto mi ha cambiato.
This place has changed me.
Strong statement — appropriate for genuinely transformative sites.
Goethe visited Pompeii in 1787 and wrote: 'Of all the disasters that have afflicted the world, few have provided so much joy to posterity.' This complex emotional response — sorrow at destruction, wonder at preservation — is what most visitors feel at Pompeii and what Italian guides call 'il paradosso di Pompei'.