Capital city of the province, it has a population of about 56 600 habitants. Its economy rests on agriculture, industry and tourism. The Agrigento territory has been lived since the prehistory, as the many archaeological finds provide us with proof of the different Copper and Bronze age habitants. For example the native city of Pirandello, ancient city (Akragas for the Greeks, Agrigentum for the Romans) was constructed on a magnificent panoramic site.
It was founded by colonists coming from the Greek islands that acted in agreement with the habitants of the neighboring Gela (VI century BC.). In a short period of time Akragas became rich and powerful; And, Akragas, with its Siracusa ally, overcame the major Carthaginian strengths (V century BC.). In 480 BC., the Carthaginian took their revenge by conquering and destroying the city.
Rebuilt and populated again by Timoleon, it was the center of battles between the Romans and the Carthaginian until 210 BC. when the Romans occupied it definitely, and named the region Agrigentum. It then went through a period of calmness and prosperity. The inexorable decadence began under the Byzantine regime. Occupied by the Arabs in the first half of the IX century, it was displaced on the hill, and changed its name to Girgenti which it kept until 1927, when it adopted the present name. In 1086 the Normans took power, then the Spaniards and finally the Bourbons in 1734.
Glorious Greek city admired by many visitors, it is described by Pindare as "the most beautiful city of the mortals, the friend of the favorable... dear to Persephone", adored goddess of the Greeks of Sicily.
Thanks to its particularly soft climate even in winter, to its natural setting and to its magnificent landscapes, Agrigento constitutes one of the most frequented tourist destinations of Sicily; it also has an international importance for its archaeological, architectural and artistic values. During the winter season until the end of spring, the spectacular flowering of the almond-trees covers the beautiful Valley of Temples.