San Giacomo
San Giacomo d'Acri: The Characteristic Hamlet of Acri
San Giacomo d'Acri is a small geographic hamlet of the Italian city of Acri, located in the province of Cosenza. With a population of about 2,000 inhabitants, it is situated approximately 15 kilometers from the city center of the same municipality. Characterized by its location on the northern borders of the Sila Greca, San Giacomo d'Acri is immersed in a series of wooded hills, in a typical Apennine area.
Physical Geography
The landscape of San Giacomo d'Acri is characterized by hills and valleys, with numerous watercourses and erosion phenomena. The soil consistency is typical of the Apennine Mountains, with a rare presence of rocks.
History
According to popular history, San Giacomo d'Acri was once inhabited by pagans, and when the hamlet changed its name from Pagania to San Giacomo, there were only 487 inhabitants. Located on the road that connects Acri to the coast, passing through the small hamlets of Foresta, Casalinella, Pietramorella, Sorbo, Belluccio, Cotura, and Ternità, San Giacomo d'Acri has always been a reference point for other hamlets and surrounding areas. It is believed that the territory has been inhabited since ancient times by the Bruzi people.
The carnival is an important event for the village, with the traditional parade of allegorical floats that attracts many people from neighboring villages. However, there is currently a dispute between the municipality of Acri and some citizens of San Giacomo d'Acri regarding the exploitation of the land called "Montagna di Pietramorella." A committee has been created to defend the acquired rights of landowners.
Economy
The predominant crop in San Giacomo d'Acri is the vine, but grains, vegetables, and various fruits, including cherries, are also cultivated. Cultivations of chestnuts, historically important, remain only in sporadic presences, in addition to oak and pine trees. In recent years, the cultivation of olive groves at high altitude has increased. The breeding of pigs and sheep and poultry production are also common in this territory.
Sport
San Giacomo d'Acri had a historic football club, SS San Giacomo Calcio, founded in 1990, which played several seasons in the Third Category Calabria championship. In the 2006-2007 season, the team achieved promotion to the Second Category, finishing first at the end of the season. In the following season, the team was relegated and played in the lowest category again for several seasons before declaring bankruptcy in 2012.
San Giacomo d'Acri is a small jewel of cultural, naturalistic, and economic value, where agriculture and pastoralism, with their ancient flavors, coexist with the present in a unique and harmonious synthesis. With its charming position among the hills and woods, San Giacomo d'Acri is a place worth visiting!
