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Home > Travel Italy > Italy Destinations > Agrigento
Agrigento
Italy, officially the Italian Republic or Repubblica Italiana, is a Southern European country comprising of the Po River valley, the Italian Peninsula and the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. It is shaped like a boot and for this reason Italians commonly call it lo Stivale, the boot or, due to its prevalent peninsular geographical nature, la Penisola, the Peninsula.
Agrigento is the name of a town on the southern coast of Sicily, Italy, capital of the province of Agrigento. It is located at on a hill overlooking the sea. The city is renowned as the site of the ancient Greek city of Akagras and is one of the leading cities of Magna Graecia. The city was founded on a plateau overlooking the sea, with two nearby rivers, the Hypsas and the Akragas, and a ridge to the north offering a degree of natural fortification.
Agrigento was captured by the Normans under Count Roger in 1087, and established a Latin bishopric there. The population declined during much of the medieval period but revived somewhat after the 18th century. In 1860, the inhabitants enthusiastically supported Giuseppe Garibaldi in his campaign to unify Italy. Ancient Akragas covers a huge area and much of which is still unexcavated today but is exemplified by the famous Valley of the Temples.
Agrigento can also be described as the best geographical environment and can trace its origins back to prehistoric times. This is evident from the archaeological sites found throughout Agrigento. Today, one can also learn about its history, from its earliest times and gain enthusiasm in its natural beauty and populace.
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