In the Fifth Century B.C., today's Agrigento was a powerful and flourishing city.  The famous Greek city known then as Akragas was called by the poet Pindar "the most beautiful city of mortals." The splendor of ancient Akragas and today's Agrigento remains the extraordinary Valley of the Temples, a brilliant expression of the architectural and artistic genius of the Greeks, along with the priceless artifacts featured in the Regional Archaeological Museum "S. Nicola."

Agrigento, however, is not only famous worldwide for its Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city of art treasures medieval and baroque artifacts of interest located in the historic center; a typical Arab-style, intertwining labyrinth of streets where there are important monuments: the cathedral, the Church of St. Mary of the Greeks, and the Chiaramonte-style Monastery of Santo Spirito. The heart of the historic center is the Via Atenea; a main artery branching off into many streets leading to monuments, promenades and shopping in town.