Tagliaborsa
Tagliaborsa: a charming fraction of Mascali with an interesting history
If you are looking for a charming and history-rich fraction in the metropolitan city of Catania, Tagliaborsa could be a good choice. Located at an altitude of 312 meters above sea level, Tagliaborsa is a fraction of the municipality of Mascali. Today, this area is an exclave in the municipality of Giarre, but in the past it was one of the most rugged and difficult-to-reach areas due to the brigands that hid in the woods.
The legend of Luca Tagliaborse
According to legend, the name of the small village derives from a brigand named Luca, nicknamed "Tagliaborse". The story goes that Luca converted thanks to the apparition of Mary and founded a church in the village. However, the truth seems to be slightly different. In the past, the territory of Tagliaborsa was infested by brigands who hid in the woods. This was because the main road from Catania to Messina passed through this territory.
Furthermore, in the area there was a small convent of monks, the Friars Minor of San Biagio di Acireale. The church dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was associated with the hospice. Built in the 18th century, the church and convent were a central point of the territory as they were located on the Via Valeria, south of Mascali. In addition, an important communication route led to Giarre and then to the center of the County of Mascali, the so-called "Strata dâ Vaḍḍa".
Tagliaborsa in 1815
After the dismemberment of the County of Mascali in 1815, Tagliaborsa remained in the territory of Mascali but was excluded from the municipality to which it belonged when it was split with Giarre. Since then, Tagliaborsa has remained a fraction in the territory of the municipality of Mascali but is an exclave of the municipality of Giarre.
The church of Tagliaborsa
The church in the center of the village was elevated to an autonomous parish in 1949. A marble sculpture of the Madonna, said to have been modeled by a young woman from the vicinity, is located inside the church. The interior of the church is very simple and welcoming, with white walls and a single altar decorated with a statue of the Madonna. The church of Tagliaborsa has always been a reference point for the residents of the village and a place of prayer and meeting.
Tagliaborsa today
In recent decades, the village of Tagliaborsa has expanded to the south, into the territory of Giarre, where a new settlement called Coste or Tagliaborsa di Giarre has been built. However, the original village is still located in the fraction of Mascali and is today one of the most peaceful and picturesque areas of the territory. Many local families produce wine, oil, and cheese, making Tagliaborsa an ideal place to taste the most authentic local cuisine.
In short, if you are looking for a peaceful place in contact with nature, the fraction of Tagliaborsa is definitely an interesting choice. The surrounding nature and the history of the village will leave you speechless, and you will be welcomed by the residents of the village with their typical Sicilian cordiality.
