Limina is a place truly waiting to be discovered, located in the metropolitan city of Messina and devoted to San Filippo di Agira. There is a lot to know about its territory.
Here is a brief history of Limina, with the chance to learn useful information also about the local Saint.
What is Limina and where is it located
Il municipality of Limina is located inside the province of Messina and has a population of around 700 inhabitants. Even today, the latter sustain themselves thanks to the help of small agricultural businesses, livestock farming and family-run craft activities. From the first moment, you can immerse yourself in a typical Sicilian village. Limina does not hide its medieval origins and is located 500 meters above sea level. The town is located on the valley of Mount Kalfa, surrounded by other small towns such as Savoca, Antillo, Roccafiorita and Santa Teresa di Riva. Valleys, slopes and rivers have made this place difficult to inhabit.
The origins of Limina
The name Limina should be taken from the Latin term Limen, with the literal meaning of limit, border. The origins of Limina could even date back to around 260 BC In that year, a bloody battle was fought between the Romans and Carthaginians, during the First Punic War. The latter tried to insinuate themselves into Ionian territory. In any case, the first families who settled in these parts date back to before the year 1000, while the first findings are dated towards the end of the same century.
From the seventeenth century to the present day
The epic of the village of Limina continued in the seventeenth century, when it received the title of Marquisate. In 1621, the Marquis Pietro Balsamo granted to the Conventual Minors one church dedicated to the Madonna delle Annunziate. In 1733, Giovanni Scaldara was commissioned by King Frederick of Bourbon to practice the profession of notary. Another illustrious figure in the area was undoubtedly the poet Giuseppe Evola, born in these parts towards the end of the eighteenth century. During the 2500th century, the local population began to expatriate towards the United States, a phenomenon that came back into vogue during the Second World War, this time towards Northern Italy, Germany, Argentina and Venezuela. The inhabitants have thus fallen from over 700 in the XNUMXs to around XNUMX today.
What the Limina community is based on
As mentioned previously, the community hides a very similar history compared to other hilly communities in the region, which have chosen to base their strength on agricultural activities and onlocal crafts. With these premises, these families have given shape to a perfectly self-sufficient economic system, based on their own production without depending on third parties. Over the years, the potential of the land has given us the opportunity to produce food in the best possible way. Agriculture has grown to the point of developing zootechnics, i.e. the science that deals with domestic animals useful for human life.
Saint Philip of Agira, the protector of Limina
In Limina, a leading role is also occupied by religious tradition thanks to the figure of San Filippo d'Agira. Born probably in distant Syria, today he is honored with a church dedicated to him, the Church of San Filippo of Agira, with his effigy inside. Saint Philip is depicted with the Gospel in his left hand and his right hand placed near his face. The local citizens venerate him for his ability to lock numerous dangerous demons in hell and praise him every year with the party dedicated to him, on 11 and 12 May.
Limina, a town rich in history and charm
Limina offers its tourists and citizens a history to remember, with various characteristic features of a certain importance. Here agriculture and craftsmanship guarantee remarkable sensations and project towards a scenario characterized by pure tradition, little contaminated by technological evolution.
Image of Bdsklo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
