Agrigento

Agrigento is the province, which history is 2500 years older than its name. The ancient Greeks were the first settlers here. They founded Agrigento approximately in 500 B.C. For the last 25 ages it has changed several names. It was a Greek Acragant, a Roman Agrigent, an Arabian Girgenti and in 1927 it became an Italian Agrigento.

It’s no secret, that Sicily is famous for its monuments. Ancient spirit is everywhere in Sicily, but in Agrigento it “materializes” when you are walking along the streets or driving a car to the seaside.

The most popular sight of Agrigento is the Valley of Temples. It is situated at the foot of a hill where Agrigento is located. Antique temples are 4-5 centuries B.C. Some of them are still well preserved. They are named after the Greek Gods: Zeus, Vulcan, Aesculapius and Hercules. The best time to visit Valley is evening when the sunset tinctures the ancient walls into a rosy color. Such a picturesque view will make an experienced tourist stand stock-still with admiration.

Agrigento is famous for its squares. There are many curious buildings here: Piazza Purgatorio and San Lorenzo Church, Piazza Pirandello, where the Luigi Pirandello Theatre and the Municipality Building are situated and Piazza Don Minzoni with the Cathedral of the 11th century. There are also located the Lucesian Library with the volumes of 500 years old, the Episcopal Palace and the Seminary.

The main resort of Agrigento is Skalla di Turci. It is well-known for its sandy beaches and crystal sea. Yacht-sailing is the obligatory entertainment of the resort which is worth your attention. Otherwise you won’t be able to have a tremendous impression of the sea from the board of the ship, of white cliffs and of the ruins of the Greek magnates’ buildings.