Porto Empedocle was founded under the name of Marina di Girgenti as the port of the ancient city of Girgenti, the current Agrigento. In the mid-16th century, the Torre del Caricatore di Girgenti tower was restored and was an important part of the defense of the marine area for a long time. In 1863 the name of the city changed to Empedocle as a tribute to the Greek philosopher Empedocle, who was born in Akragas (Agrigento). In 2009 Porto Empedocle officially became a city.
