Forza d'Agrò
Welcome to Forza d'Agrò: let's discover its history
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Forza d'Agrò, a small town located in the metropolitan city of Messina, Sicily. With its 833 inhabitants and its position at 354 m.s.l/m., it is a quiet and picturesque place. But, did you know that it has an interesting history? I will take you on a discovery of this small medieval village, where time seems to have stopped.
Prehistory and Roman period
The territory of Forza d'Agrò has had a human presence since prehistory, with the presence of Sicani and Siculi. In the following period, it knew the presence of Greek, Hellenistic and then Roman civilization. The site was located on the border between the jurisdictions of the polis of Messana and that of Naxos, both important in the history of Sicily.
From the twelfth to the fourteenth century
In the twelfth century, Forza d'Agrò was located in the western part of Calvario mountain, but destroyed by a landslide, it was rebuilt in the site where we find it today. Some remains of the ancient inhabited center remain, such as the church of San Michele Arcangelo, which probably dates back to the Byzantine period in Sicily. In 1300, the village was named Forza d'Agrò, thanks to the establishment of the Two Jurats, drawn by the Abbot of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul of Agrò, to whom the village had been donated by the King of Sicily Roger II Altavilla.
The charges and obligations of the village
Forza d'Agrò had charges and obligations that the inhabitants had to comply with. Among the charges were the Judge, the Captain of Justice, the Baliato and the Commission of Deputies. The inhabitants were obliged to cultivate the fields of the Abbot and to donate two chickens and a goat to the monks of the convent during Christmas and Easter.
The fifteenth century
In the fifteenth century, the town of Forza d'Agrò experienced a great building expansion. The Church of the Santissima Annunziata and the Church of the Triade were constructed. In 1433, Forza d'Agrò was mentioned in some chapters presented by Messina to the Kingdom of Sicily Alfonso V of Aragon for the provision of wheat. In 1540, the town counted 302 houses and 1,500 people lived.
The War of the Vespers and the restoration of the Castle
During the War of the Vespers, King Peter III of Aragon ordered the forzesi to send thirty archers to nearby Taormina, under the command of Giovanni Chelamidi. In 1282, Forza d'Agrò came under the jurisdiction of the Strategoti and Governors of Messina and, in 1468, it was incorporated into the Archimandrite of the Most Holy Savior. In 1595, the Castle of Forza d'Agrò was restored by the deputies of the town.
Conclusions
Here is the history of Forza d'Agrò, a place worth visiting for those passionate about history and culture. This medieval village, nestled among the mountains of the Valle d'Agrò, offers the opportunity to discover its traditions and natural beauty. Come and visit us!
