Sciacca is a nice seaside in the province of Agrigento, characterized by a clear Arab feel. Its name derives from the Arab term As-saqah, that means cleft, which refers to the caves of the nearby Mountain Kronion, characterized by the exhalations of hot air utilized for thermal purposes.
In July 1831, a volcanic island appeared not too far from the coast of Sciacca; it was called Ferdinandea island. It disappeared in very few months because it was composed by easily eroded materials.
In addition to the thermal wellness, this town also offers many architectonic masterpieces, such as the three access gates (Porta Palermo, Porta San Salvatore and Porta San Calogero), the Castle of the Counts Luna, Palazzo San Giacomo Tagliavia, Palazzo Steripinto, Palazzo Graffeo, the Cathedral, built during the Norman period and restored in the XVII century, the Church of Santa Maria dell'Itria and the outlying Badia grande, the Church of Santa Margherita.