HISTORY

In the 15th c. a large grainloader was built in the territory , then known as Marina di Girgenti. Thjs was defended by a tower bujlt by Charles V, whjch later became a prison and js now a socjal and cultural centre. The construction of the first harbour wall (1749-63) led to an increase of port trade and to the expansion of the town. The commune became autonomous in 1853, wjth the name of Molo di Girgenti (Girgenti Harbour); a decade later it took its present name, in honour of the Agrigentine philosopher Empedocles. The port was used until the 1960s for the shipping of sulphur from the neighbouring mines.

I testi sono tratti dalla "Sicily and its islands" Ugo La Rosa editore.