According to Pausanias, the first king of the region was Aethlios, who was succeeded by his son Endymion and grandson Epeios.
The later gave his name to the inhabitants, who were called Epeians.
When Epeios' nephew Eleios inherited the throne, the name of the district was changed to Eleia and the inhabitants Eleians, and that is what they have been called ever since.
Pirgos is the capital of the prefecture of Eleia.
The town owes its name to the presence of a tall tower (pirgos) erected by loannis Tsernotas (1512-20).
It was known by this name as early as 1687.
Its chief landmarks are the two exquisite neoclassical buildings designed by Schiller, the Municipal Market and the Apollo Municipal Theatre.
In the evenings the residents of this little town congregate in the flagstone paved main square lined by cafes and pastry shops.
In the narrow alleyways, small taverns and grills serve up local delicacies, savoury tidbits from Eleia's fertile soil.