Magisano
Magisano: a village with a millenary history
Magisano is a small municipality with 1,171 inhabitants located in the province of Catanzaro, in Calabria. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages when the village was called Vucisano due to the herbs present in the area called "Vucissi". In the 1200s, a plague struck the city of Trinchise and many residents moved north, to the area now known as Zinnante, and to other parts of the region such as Casale Vecchio. In 1460, these families joined together to form a new village in the location where Magisano currently stands. The municipality belonged to the Ruffo di Catanzaro family until 1464 when it passed under royal domain. It wasn't until 1820 that Magisano was elevated to an autonomous municipality, until it ceded the fraction of Cropani Marina to the municipality of Cropani after World War II.
Things to see in Magisano
Despite the size of the municipality, Magisano boasts a series of monuments and places of interest that tell its millenary history. One of the most interesting sites is the Sanctuary of Maria SS.ma della Luce, where the Madonna of Light is venerated, which is celebrated on September 8 in the San Pietro fraction and attracts thousands of pilgrims. In the capital, there is the Mother Church and the Church of the Rosary. In the Vincolise fraction, you can visit the Antonino Greco House-Museum, the house of a jurist and Garibaldian patriot of the Risorgimento. The museum preserves numerous period objects, including rare Latin texts dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The Gentilizia Chapel is consecrated with a bull of Pius IX and is famous for its gold relic caskets containing relics of St. Anne, St. Amelia, and St. Thomas, an ancient silver chalice, and a statue of the crucified Christ made of plaster mixed with sackcloth. Magisano also boasts the Devil's Bridge over the Simeri River, the hillside lake, and the new bridge over the Foresta stream.
Demographic evolution and community
Magisano has seen a constant demographic decline in recent decades, dropping from 1,656 inhabitants in 1951 to 1,171 in 2021. Nevertheless, the community of Magisano is very united and active. In the Vincolise fraction, there is a small Waldensian evangelical church that represents a point of reference for religious residents.
Conclusions
Magisano is a small municipality with great historical and cultural value. Despite its size, it offers numerous attractions for tourists and visitors, from the Antonino Greco House-Museum to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Light. Although the population has decreased in recent decades, Magisano has a strong community and represents a point of reference for many people. If you want to discover the magic of this ancient Calabrian village, do not hesitate to visit it.
