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The name Agyris unveils one of the most powerful rulers that the center of Sicily ever witnessed. He fought against the Carthaginians in 392 BC, a battle of success that was aimed at winning over Agyrium.

Agyrium is the native town of the great historian Diodorus Siculus. He left as legacy important writings which scholars use as material for tracing the history of the area. The ancient city is no longer a source of information since the modern settlement overlies the original one.

Inhabited by 9 004 people, Agira lays 650 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by important historic sites that all together form a rather interesting archaeological cluster: Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Siracusa and Trapani are the main characters of the testimonial chain. Annals of local history reserve a special place for Diodorus Siculus who marked the 1st century BC. His legacy consists of 40 books created under the name of Bibliotheca Historica. Of these, only 1-5 and 11-20 weren’t destroyed. The historian made quite a discussion object over the years. Time and effort were spent in order to clarify the originality of his writings. Partial vilification of Diodorus is due to the analyses initiated by scholars over the years based mainly on the author’s Bibliotheca.

Agira also enjoys the existence of impressive art works sheltered by beautiful buildings, mostly churches. The list is populated with names such as the Norman Chiesa Madre (Mother Church) which is a dedication to Santa Maria Maggiore, the Norman Church of Santa Margherita which is quite an impressive work from the early years of the 13th century above which time left its marks, Church of St. Filippo which proudly shelters works of art signed by Olivo Sozzi, the Church of Sant’Antonio da Padova that dates from the 16th century, the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate that displays magnificent reminiscences of the Venetian School. The bell-tower is an important asset of Church of San Salvatore and it represents a token of the Gothic style.

Local economy reveals no surprise. Agira is a major agricultural center that manages cereals, almonds, grapes and olives production. Breeding cattle, horses and sheep makes up an important part of the economy, as it is supported by the natural environment that offers proper conditions for breeding. Spectacular species of birds gather at Pozzillo which is the name of an artificial lake near Agira. Not only this is a natural realm of splendor but the Riserva di Piano della Corte also. What is so beautiful and reassuring in this area is the interest for preserving flora and fauna.

In fact, Agira is quite a slow town. Both beautiful and easy-going, the town presents optimum conditions for a quiet life led by enjoyment of the little things that make the bigger ones happen.