The history of Agrigento (known in antiquity as Akragas) began around 580 BC. The city was founded by Greek colonists from neighboring Gela, whose ancestors hailed from the islands of Rhodes and Crete. The settlement arose as a strategic outpost to deter the expansion of Carthage and quickly outgrew its mother city, becoming one of the most influential poleis of Magna Graecia.
The rapid development of the city was facilitated by a unique combination of natural and geopolitical conditions. Akragas was built on a plateau naturally protected by steep cliffs and flanked by two rivers, ensuring reliable defense and access to fresh water. Its proximity to the sea allowed for the development of a port and active trade with North Africa, and during the reign of the tyrant Theron, the city reached the peak of its power, expanding its holdings to the northern coast of Sicily.
Ancient Akragas was famous for its incredible wealth and love of luxury, for which the poet Pindar called it "the most beautiful city of mortals." Economic prosperity was based on fertile lands perfectly suited for growing olives and grapes, as well as successful horse breeding. The cultural reflection of this golden age was the large-scale construction that laid the foundation for the famous Valley of the Temples, designed to demonstrate the city's greatness to the entire ancient world.
Timeline
Chronology of Agrigento's Development
580 BC — Greek colonists from the islands of Rhodes and Crete found the city of Akragas, which quickly becomes one of the centers of Magna Graecia.
480 BC — Following the victory over the Carthaginians at the Battle of Himera, large-scale construction of monumental sanctuaries begins in the famous Valley of the Temples.
406 BC — Carthaginian forces besiege and destroy the city, marking the end of its first period of prosperity and power.
210 BC — During the Second Punic War, the city finally passes under Roman rule and receives the Latin name Agrigentum.
828 AD — Arabs conquer the city, renaming it Kerkent and moving the residential quarters to the top of the hill, forming the modern historical center.
1087 — Norman Count Roger I captures the city, restoring Christianity and beginning the construction of the cathedral.
14th century — The period of influence of the noble Chiaramonte family, who enriched the city's architecture with palaces and churches in the Gothic style.
1860 — The city's population supports Giuseppe Garibaldi's "Expedition of the Thousand," and the region joins the unified Kingdom of Italy.
1927 — Mussolini issues a decree to return the city, which had been called Girgenti for centuries, to its historical Latinized name—Agrigento.
1943 — The city is subjected to heavy bombardment and is subsequently occupied by Allied forces during the Sicilian campaign of World War II.
1966 — A massive landslide destroys part of the modern urban area, leading to a revision of urban planning policies and the protection of the archaeological zone.
1997 — The Archaeological Area of Agrigento is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list as one of the greatest monuments of ancient art.
Milestones
Milestones of Cultural and Urban Development
The development of Agrigento is a story of constant adaptation of the urban environment to changing eras—from an ancient metropolis to a compact medieval fortress-city and a modern tourist center.
Monumentalization of Akragas (5th century BC). The economic peak of the Greek polis was expressed through an unprecedented urban planning program. The construction of a chain of Doric temples along the southern city wall served not only religious purposes but also acted as a visual demonstration of the city's power, visible from the sea to merchant and naval vessels.
Roman Restructuring and "Emporium" Status. Under Roman rule, the city transformed into an administrative and commercial hub. Agrigento became a key collection point for Sicilian grain destined for export to the metropolis, leading to the development of warehouse infrastructure and the appearance of comfortable residential quarters with mosaics (the "Hellenistic-Roman Quarter").
Medieval Relocation to Girgenti Hill. During the period of the Arab conquest and subsequent Norman rule, the city radically changed its geography, moving from the valley to the hilltop for defense. This created the current historical center with its chaotic layout, narrow winding streets, and enclosed courtyards characteristic of Islamic urban planning.
The Chiaramonte Style (14th century). The influence of the powerful Chiaramonte family introduced elements of the unique "Sicilian Gothic" to the city's appearance. The construction of fortified palaces and churches with characteristic geometric ornaments added artistic expressiveness to the austere medieval city.
Institutionalization of Heritage (20th century). A decisive moment for the city's modern economy was the legislative designation of the archaeological zone as a protected park. The ban on modern construction in the Valley of the Temples and subsequent UNESCO recognition finally established Agrigento's status as a world cultural capital, reorienting the city from the agricultural sector to international tourism.
Architecture
Architectural Character and Urban Planning
The architecture of Agrigento represents a unique dialogue between two cities: the silent yet majestic ancient polis in the valley and the lively, chaotic medieval settlement on the hill. The urban structure is clearly divided into the archaeological zone with its regular layout and the historical center, which features a tangled labyrinth of Arab-style streets.
Evolution of Styles and Eras
The city's appearance reveals the layering of several civilizations, each leaving its mark in stone:
Ancient Classics (5th century BC). The dominant style is the strict Doric order. Agrigento's temples were built from local golden shell limestone (tufa). This period is characterized by monumentality, adherence to the proportions of the Golden Ratio, and the orientation of buildings to the east.
Hellenistic and Roman Periods. The layout of residential quarters according to the Hippodamian system (a regular street grid) has been preserved. Architecture from this time introduced peristyle courtyards, mosaic floors, and sophisticated water supply systems.
Medieval Eclecticism (11th–14th centuries). After the city moved to the Girgenti hill, the dense urban fabric of a "kasbah" was formed. The Norman style prevails here, blended with the unique Sicilian Gothic (Chiaramonte style), recognizable by its pointed arches and zigzag ornaments on the cornices.
Baroque (17th–18th centuries). During this period, many austere medieval facades of churches and palazzos were rebuilt. Sicilian Baroque manifests here in ornate portals, "pot-bellied" wrought-iron balconies, and rich interior decor made of stucco (imitation marble).
Iconic Buildings and Architectural Landmarks
Several key sites shape Agrigento's skyline, vividly demonstrating the changing eras:
Temple of Concord (Tempio della Concordia). A masterpiece of the Doric style and one of the best-preserved buildings of antiquity. It was saved by its conversion into a Christian basilica in the 6th century, showcasing architectural continuity.
Cathedral of San Gerlando (Cattedrale di San Gerlando). The city's main church is a true encyclopedia of styles. A massive Norman tower stands alongside Gothic windows, while inside, a 14th-century painted wooden ceiling is paired with Baroque altar decorations.
Church of Santa Maria dei Greci. A unique example of "architectural cannibalism": this medieval church was built directly onto the foundations and columns of an ancient Greek Temple of Athena, remains of which are visible in the floor and walls.
Monastery of Santo Spirito (Monastero di Santo Spirito). A masterpiece of the Chiaramonte style. The facade retains medieval austerity and Gothic portals, while the interiors are striking for their incredibly complex Baroque stucco work by the Serpotta school.
Notable People
Prominent Figures Associated with Agrigento
The history of Agrigento is inextricably linked with the names of great thinkers, rulers, and creators whose legacy reached far beyond Sicily.
Empedocles (5th century BC) — Philosopher, physician, and poet.
One of the most significant thinkers of antiquity, born in Akragas. He was the creator of the doctrine of the four classical elements (fire, water, air, earth). He was an active political figure who championed democracy and a legendary figure to whom miraculous powers were attributed.
Luigi Pirandello (1867–1936) — Dramatist and writer, Nobel Prize laureate.
Born at the "Caos" estate on the outskirts of Agrigento. He became a reformer of world theater and 20th-century literature, exploring themes of masks and the relativity of reality. His house-museum and tomb are located in Agrigento, serving as an important pilgrimage site for literature lovers.
Theron (died 473 BC) — Tyrant of Akragas.
The ruler under whom the city reached its highest peak of prosperity and power. His victory over the Carthaginians at the Battle of Himera provided the influx of resources necessary to begin the grand construction in the Valley of the Temples, which defined the city's appearance for millennia.
Phalaris (6th century BC) — Tyrant of Akragas.
The city's first known ruler, who turned it into a powerful military state. He went down in history as a controversial figure: a successful strategist and urban planner, he was remembered by posterity for his legendary cruelty (execution in the "brazen bull"), becoming a namesake for tyranny.
Andrea Camilleri (1925–2019) — Writer and screenwriter.
A native of Porto Empedocle (the historical port of Agrigento). He made his home region famous in the series of detective novels about Inspector Montalbano. The fictional town of Vigata in his books is modeled after the real landscapes and atmosphere of the Agrigento province.
Raffaello Politi (1783–1870) — Painter, archaeologist, and architect.
Played a key role in saving and popularizing the city's ancient heritage in the 19th century. He oversaw the reconstruction of the iconic Temple of the Dioscuri and created numerous engravings that documented the state of the Valley of the Temples for future generations.