Born as a port area of ancient Girgenti, today Agrigento, with the name of Marina di Girgenti, from the 15th century it was the place of trading of cereals from the entire area. Between 1549 and 1554, by order of the viceroy Juan de Vega, the Charger Tower of Girgenti was restored, as it was known in antiquity (probably already existing before the Angevin period). It was part of the warning system of the coastal towers of Sicily, built following the instructions of the Florentine architect Camillo Camilliani with the aim of defending commercial activities from attacks by Saracen pirates.
Given its importance, it was always the subject of significant restorations, the most important was perhaps the one promoted by Emperor Charles V, for which the tower is better known locally as Torre Carlo V.
In 1749 the construction of the first pier began, thanks to Charles III and the intervention of bishop Lorenzo Gioeni, completed only in 1763. In 1853, during the government of the Bourbons of the Two Sicilies, the village obtained autonomy, becoming the capital of the decurionate like Girgenti Pier. Subsequently, in 1863, the town changed its name to Porto Empedocle to remember the famous philosopher from Agrigento Empedocle.
In 2003 the municipality decided to adopt Vigata as the second name of the locality[5], in homage to the imaginary town of the literary character created by the local writer Andrea Camilleri (its illustrious citizen), Salvo Montalbano, to whom a statue was dedicated in 2009 via Rome. However, the decision on the name was revoked in 2009. On 12 December of the same year, by Decree of the President of the Republic, Porto Empedocle was awarded the title of City. Today Porto Empedocle is one of the most important economic realities in the province of Agrigento. Its port ensures connection with the Pelagian Islands. (source: wikipedia)
Charles V Tower
The Charger Tower (Turris marittimae Agrigenti) is a building of medieval origin present in the urban center of Porto Empedocle, near the entrance to the port. Built around the 14th century (there is evidence from 1355), it had the aim of guarding the Agrigento coast from possible Saracen invasions. The tower was used as a prison for a long time: in 1848 it was the scene of the massacre of 114 defenseless prisoners, made known by the famous Empedocline writer Andrea Camilleri in the work "The forgotten massacre". Today it is used as an artistic-cultural centre. The architectural complex, with a square plan, is owned by the Municipality of Porto Empedocle and is preserved in its main parts. (source : Wikipedia)
Via Roma
Via Roma is the main street of Porto Empedocle, very characteristic and which has preserved its features from the early 1900s, and is the day and night meeting point for citizens, thanks also to the numerous clubs, restaurants, pizzerias, ice cream parlors etc. a good place to take a nice walk.
Marinella's Beach
The beaches of Porto Empedocle are very extensive, with very fine sand, the sea is shallow and you have to walk several dozen meters to find high water. Generally they are beaches suitable for families with children who can have fun in the sand and enjoy the shallow waters. Furthermore, given the large extension, they allow you to keep your distance even in the busiest periods. That of Marinella is the largest, followed by that of the Nettuno seafront and that of Caos.