Sant'angelo
Sant'Angelo: A Welcoming Hamlet in the Regional Natural Park of Serre
If you are looking for a peaceful and charming place for a weekend getaway, then you must visit Sant'Angelo, a hamlet of the municipality of Gerocarne with a population of around 640 inhabitants. This small village is located on the Tyrrhenian side of the Regional Natural Park of Serre, in Calabria. In this article, I will provide you with all the information you need to know about its history, physical geography, society, economy, and demographic evolution of the area.
Physical Geography: Among the Calabrian Serre
Sant'Angelo is located in a happy position close to the hills, at an average altitude of 266 m above sea level. The main roads that cross the village are the State Road 182 of the Calabrian Serre and the provincial road ex SS 536 of Acquaro. The only main inhabited center is the so-called "triangle", where most of the village services are concentrated.
History: The Village Founded by Friar Angelo
According to tradition, Sant'Angelo was founded on March 25, 725 AD, by friar Angelo, the fourth last son of Crisostamo Rosso and Margherita Grasso. In 1619, a local nobleman, Francesco Maria Carafa, raised the hamlet to a separate place, thanks to the expansion of the primitive rural nucleus formed around the monastery of San Michele Arcangelo. However, it soon lost its autonomy and became part of the county of Soriano Calabro.
With the abolition of feudalism, the village was annexed as a rural district to the municipality of Sorianello, and finally aggregated to the municipality of Gerocarne, where it still is today.
Society: Demographic Evolution
The population of Sant'Angelo has always been modest, with about 640 inhabitants. However, it is interesting to note how the village has always been attractive to immigrants. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, many of its inhabitants migrated to South America, particularly to Argentina. Today, the inhabitants of Sant'Angelo are mostly elderly, as in most small villages in Italy.
Economy: Agriculture as the Driving Force
Like most Italian rural areas, the economy of Sant'Angelo is mainly based on agriculture, particularly on the production of olives. Local companies are generally small-scale, but are still able to produce high-quality oils. In fact, the village is part of the Calabrian oil hill, one of the main areas of olive oil production in Italy.
Conclusions: Visiting Sant'Angelo
Sant'Angelo is a village that has preserved its history and tradition intact. It is a great place for those who love walks in nature and want to discover the authentic atmosphere of Calabria. Don't wait any longer, put Sant'Angelo on your list of places to visit.
