Agrigento is situated on a plateau overlooking the sea, there is two nearby the rivers, the Hypsas and the Akragas, and a ridge to the north offering a degree of natural resources.

Its establishment took to the place around 582-580 BC and is attributed to Greek colonists from Gela, who named it Akragas.

Agrigento was captured by the Normans under Count Roger I in 1087, who established a Latin bishopric there.