Escolca
Escolca: a small municipality in Sardinia at the foot of the Giara di Serri
Escolca is an Italian municipality with a population of 556 located in the province of Sud Sardegna, at the foot of the Giara di Serri. The city has a long history and its territory has been inhabited since prenuragic times. Over the centuries it has undergone various dominations and administrative changes, but has maintained a strong and rooted cultural identity.
History
Escolca has an ancient history that has left numerous archaeological testimonies. Traces of the prenuragic and nuragic periods have been found in the municipal area, as well as from the Roman era, during which Escolca was an important producer of wheat and olive oil. In the Middle Ages, the city belonged to the Judicate of Cagliari and the curatorship of Siurgus. In 1258, it passed under Pisan and then Aragonese domination, becoming a fief of the Carroz, counts of Quirra, until it was annexed to the Marquisate of Mandas in 1603. In 1839, with the suppression of the feudal system, Escolca became an independent municipality.
Symbols
The coat of arms and the gonfalon of the Municipality of Escolca were granted by decree of the President of the Republic on 21 September 2004. The gonfalon is a banner of white.
Society
Demographic evolution
Escolca also has a particular demographic history, which has seen a constant decline in population since the end of the 19th century. The historical maximum was reached in 1881, when the city had 1,576 inhabitants. Since then, the population has steadily decreased, reaching the current number of 556 inhabitants.
Languages and dialects
The variant of the Sardinian language spoken in Escolca is the Western Campidanese Sardinian.
Culture
Events
The feast of San Simone is one of the most important events in Escolca. It takes place in the uninhabited village of San Simone, usually on the weekend following Pentecost Sunday. The celebration is a great opportunity for the inhabitants of the village and visitors to come together and celebrate.
Anthropogenic geography
The municipal territory of Escolca also includes the administrative island of San Simone, which has an area of 3.87 km². The island is uninhabited and of great natural importance, thanks to the presence of numerous birds of prey and rare species of flora and fauna.
Economy
The economy of Escolca is based on agriculture, with crops primarily focused on cereals and olives. The municipal territory is characterized by a great variety of plants and trees, which give the landscape a very suggestive aspect. The typical crafts of Escolca are ancient looms for traditional fabrics and basket weavers.
Administration
Escolca is an independent municipality, headed by a mayor and a municipal council. Local elections are held every five years.
Sports
Escolca has a futsal team, Escolca C5, which competes in the Sardinian Serie D, group B. The club also represents women's football.
Notes
Escolca has an ancient history and a cultural identity rooted in the territory. The feast of San Simone and the administrative island that bears its name are just some of the peculiarities of this municipality in Sardinia.
