Savoca is a municipality located in the province of Messina and is a very characteristic ancient village.
It is a small reality, a village of medieval origin which brings with it a story full of happy events, but also very troubled. Let's immerse ourselves in a territory of endless surprises.
Where is Savoca?
The small village of Savoca rises on the Ionian coast, on a rocky hill which presents well seven views all different and wonderful. It overlooks the sea and sunsets that give different and surprising colors every time. Also for these reasons, Savoca is known throughout the world and often cited by poets such as Leonardo Sciascia who affirmed: "Supra na rocca Sauca sta, sette facci sempri fa".
The origins of Savoca
The name of Savoca derives from the Sambuco plant, which in the Sicilian dialect is called savucu. Its origins could even date back to the year 1134, when Roger II defined it with the title of Barony. The surprises on this ancient village are not finished yet, given that it is a stage that leads into art. Not surprisingly, the town has been included in the list of most beautiful villages in Italy.
The heart of the village remains medieval in appearance and jealously preserves its ancient nature. Among the streets of the town, it is possible to find yourself in a suggestive walk and immersed in one Renaissance style e barocco, which makes it a real gem of Southern Italy. The ancient village is precious for its historical beauty and is part of the tourist district of Valle d'Agro.
Savoca: history to be discovered
Savoca and its ancient houses were born around the Rock of Penthefur. On the top of the promontory, there was a castle still known today by the name of Castello Saraceno, but its naming in this sense is completely wrong. In fact, the castle does not have Saracen origins, but Arabs. Numerous sprang up in the country churches mostly dating back to the XNUMXth-XNUMXth century. Among these, the most important and impressive ecclesiastical structure of the place is the one dedicated to Saint Lucia. Even older is the Church of San Michele in Savoca built in the thirteenth century after Christ, located near the Municipal Museum.
Savoca has always been involved in the dynamics of nearby Messina in history, living the story as a protagonist, in happy or catastrophic events. An event that local historians always like to remember is the one that saw Savoca make an act of capitulation in the face of the attack of the French armies. This document was written while the people of Messina were expelling the Spaniards from their land. In 1948, the small village managed to obtain its autonomy again, after it fell into the hands of Santa Teresa di Riva in the fascist period.
The ancient village of Savoca and its patroness
Among the many important events, Savoca remembers and celebrates its own every year boss, Saint Lucia, in whose honor a convent was built. Unfortunately, the latter was destroyed during a terrible landslide in 1880 and was originally supposed to have seven altars. On December 13, in honor of the Saint, important functions are celebrated in Savoca that attract tourists from all over the island. There patronal feast instead it is fixed in the month of August, also welcoming numerous foreign tourists ready to take the event with the utmost enthusiasm.
Savoca, a tourist destination to be discovered
At different times of the year, Savoca becomes a destination chosen by many tourists, not only Italians, who arrive on the Sicilian island as guests in the ancient hamlet. The town has been made famous by numerous films that have made the history of world cinema. For example, some scenes Sicilian de The Godfather they were filmed right here. In the filming, an ancient café, bar Vitelli, is clearly visible, which is still today as described in the film with its surprising sign.
Savoca, history and boundless charm
About visit Savoca can embark on a surprising journey through the streets and the wonderful sunsets that this ancient village is able to offer to its inhabitants. The Sicilian locality fervently awaits its visitors and always knows how to surprise a transversal audience.
© Image by Ludvig14, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
