Porto Empedocle

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Revision as of 19:43, 28 January 2013

Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Italy

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	37°16.42′N, 13°31.85′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Porto Empedocle from seaward - Click for larger view

Porto Empedocle is the harbour of the large industrial town of Agrigento in Sicily. As one would expect from a large commercial port, the harbour is noisy and not particularly clean. However, the inner harbour has good depths and is secure in all weathers. Porto Empedocle is also the nearest harbour for a visit to the World Heritage site of Agrigentum - rather appropriately, since it is named in honour of the 5th century BC Greek philosopher and poet Empedocles, the ancient city's most famous resident.

Charts

Admiralty

2123 - Capo Granitola to Capo Passero

Italian

917 - Da Capo Rassello ad Augusta e Isole Maltesi

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Local Weather

The prevailing wind on the south coast of Sicily during the summer is a SW seabreeze, which rarely gets up much above force 4-5. Most of the harbours along the south coast are liable to swell in strong southerly winds which are, however, rare outside the winter months.

Sources for weather forecasts:

• There is a continuous (computerised voice) weather forecast on VHF 68 - first in Italian and then followed with an English translation
• The same forecast is given in Italian and English on VHF coastal stations following a notification on channel 16
• Navtex weather forecasts are broadcast from stations at Roma, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Augusta (Sicily)

Approach and Navigation

The harbour is approached from SSE between a long western and shorter eastern breakwater. Depths in the entrance are in excess of 8.0 metres and in the inner harbour 6.0 - 8.0 metres.

Berthing Options

Yachts berth on the second of the three pontoons operated by Diporto Sea Assistance immediately to port on entering the inner harbour. Up to 100 yachts can berth here. Maximum length 24 metres. Water and electricity is available on the pontoons. Toilets and showers.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

It is possible to anchor in the outer harbour in 4.0 - 5.0 metres in mud, clear of the farway. Shelter here is rather poor in southerly winds.

Offshore Islands and Groups

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs/Yards

Slipway and mobile crane (50T). Engine, electrical repairs. Steel and fibreglass repairs. Sail repairs. Divers.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station on the NE quay (0800 - 1300 and 1500 - 1800). Water and electricity on the pontoons.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Although the modern town is somewhat featureless, it does boast some interesting mediaeval buildings, including the 14th century century cathedral and the 13th century Church of Santa Maria dei Greci ("Our Lady of the Greeks"), which was constructed on the site of an ancient Greek temple. Most of the finds from the Greek and Roman occupation of the area are displayed in the town’s archaeological museum. There are also some spectacular cliff walks in the area. However, the main attraction of Porto Empedocle is its proximity to the ancient Greek city of Akragas, better known under its later Roman name of Agrigentum. The Valle dei Temple (Valley of the Temples) here contains the remains of five Doric temples along a ridge overlooking the modern city of Agrigento. Of the five temples, the most complete is the Temple of Concord, built around 440 BC.

Temple of Concord, Agrigentum Click for larger view

Temple of Juno Click for larger view

Temple of Hercules Click for larger view

Grocery & Supply Stores

Numerous supermarkets and provisions shops in the town.

Eateries

Numerous restaurants in the town. As Porto Empedocle is an important fishing harbour, fish is especially good here.

Internet/WiFi

Available?

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Several outlets in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins around the inner harbour.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References & Publications

See Italy.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

• On first entering, and encouraged by a helpful person ashore, we tied to what transpired as being the fuel dock. The Guardia Costiera arrived a few mintes later. They were very courteous but advised that we must go and anchor in the West part of the harbour. One yacht that had arrived earlier and managed to get stern to at one end of the fuel area managed to persuade the Costiera to let them remain stern to. Later, once at anchor, we were surprised to see big ferries and cruise ships entering and mooring along the main wharf. Oct 2009 --Wayward

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• Oct 2009 --Wayward
• Information compiled from web research and accounts by yachtsmen (please update if possible) --Athene of Lymington 15:31, 29 October 2010 (UTC)

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