In 1087, the town was taken by the Normans and became a feudal holding. A number of prominent families held title to the place, renamed Girgenti, including the Chiaramonte and the Montaperto. Once more reduced to a poor place, it was only freed from its feudal status in 1860.
Prior to 1927, the city was called by its Arabic name, Girgenti, a distortion of the Roman Agrigentum.
Historic Population Figures: 17,838(1861); 20,180(1871); 21,219(1881); 24,872(1901); 26,147(1911); 30,074(1921); 28,677(1931); 32,951(1936); 40,491(1951); 47,919(1961); 49,213(1971); 51,325(1981); 55,283(1991); 54,619(2001).
Famous Natives & Residents:
Empedocles: Greek philosopher.
Points of Interest:
Historical Sites and Monuments:
The zone where the city’s ancient glories can be best seen is the Valley of the Temples. The principal monuments of the area include:
Temple of Olympian Zeus (Jupiter): erected in thanks to Zeus for the Greek victory over the Carthaginians in 480 BC. The original temple measured 113 meters in length and 56 meters in width.
Temple of Castor and Pollux (Dioscuri): erected in the 5th century BC.
Temple of Heracles (Hercules):
Tomb of Theron: a pyramid-shaped structure, it was actually a memorial to those soldiers who fell during the 2nd Punic War.
Temple of Concord: One of the most complete of the ancient temples, it was built in 430 BC. It is uncertain to whom the building was dedicated. The assumption that it was dedicated to Concord comes from a nearby inscription which may have been unrelated.
Temple of Hera Lacinia (Juno): built in the 5th century BC, it was burned by the Carthaginians when they captured the city in 406 BC. Its altar is located to the east of the building.
Churches and Religious Sites: The Cathedral was founded in the 11th century by bishop Gerlando. A chapel in the structure is still dedicated to that prelate.
The church and monastery of Santo Spirito is one of the oldest Christian complexes in Sicily.
The 17th century Chiesa del Purgatorio is decorated with eight allegorical statues representing the Virtues.
The 13th century Church of St. Mary of the Greeks (Chiesa di S. Maria de Greci) sits on the foundations of a 5th century BC temple.
Museums: The Archaeological Museum is located in the former 13th century church of San Nicola.
Culture: Patron Saint: S. Gerlando (Feast Day: Feb. 24).
Events:
Almond Blossom festival: 1st half of February.
Festival of San Calogero: First and second Sundays in July.
Garden mass and craft show: July.
Piranddello festival: August.
Persephone festival: August.
The Efefo d’Or: a competition of composers of film music: September.
Economy: Agriculture: Almonds, cereal crops, citrus, olives.
Agrigento, Metropolitan Archdiocese of:
Type: Metropolitan Archdiocese
Rite: Latin/Roman
History: Date of foundation is uncertain. Most sources claim the see was created in either the 1st century or 4th century. There is much evidence, however, which indicates that it dates to the late 5th century.