Melito di Porto Salvo
Discovering Melito di Porto Salvo
Welcome to Melito di Porto Salvo, a small town in Calabria, located on the Ionian coast, boasting a millennia-old history and a unique geographical position. Let's discover some interesting details together.
Physical Geography
The historic center is located on a hill called Colle Calvario, 85 meters above sea level, gently sloping towards the Ionian Sea. The town hall is located 24 meters above sea level and is part of the metropolitan area of Reggio Calabria. The territory of the municipality is crossed by some streams, such as the Tuccio stream, eastwards, which divides the municipal capital from the Pilati fraction, and the Tabacco stream, westwards, which lies between the capital and the Annà fraction. Even the Marosimone stream crosses the city, albeit to a lesser extent than the previous ones.
History
Melito di Porto Salvo has an ancient history, dating back to the Roman era, as evidenced by the discovery of a necropolis from the 5th-6th century AD in the Calvario district. According to popular tradition, in the 17th century, a painting of the Virgin Mary was found on the beach, which led the Melitesi to build a shrine in her memory. Melito was also the scene of important historical events such as Garibaldi's landings in 1860 and 1862.
The Presence of Citrus Groves and Vineyards
With the abolition of feudalism, the lands of Melito and Pentedattilo were acquired by the Ramirez family, a Spanish family, who introduced new crops such as citrus groves and vineyards. Numerous plants of citrons and bergamots, which are still found in the area today, date back to that period. The production of bergamot has been one of the main activities on which the city's economy has been based.
Symbols of the Municipality
The coat of arms of the Municipality of Melito di Porto Salvo was granted by decree of the President of the Republic on July 22, 1982. The coat of arms is divided into four quarters: in the first and fourth, the symbols of Calabria, a rampant lion and a bull, are depicted, while in the second and third, the castle and the tower of Melito are depicted.
Events and Festivals
Melito di Porto Salvo is a city that offers several attractions to its visitors, such as the Church of San Francesco with its splendid cloister dating back to the 1700s, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace. In addition, various events are held every year, including the patron saint festival of San Giovanni Battista on June 24th and the festival of Our Lady of Grace on the last Sunday of August, during which the famous painting is carried in procession through the streets of the city.
Conclusions
Melito di Porto Salvo is a small town with a great history and an enviable geographical position. Thanks to the presence of citrus groves and vineyards, it has been able to develop a flourishing and high-quality agricultural production. Moreover, its historical monuments, cultural and religious events, and the beauty of the surrounding landscape make Melito di Porto Salvo an unmissable destination for those who want to discover the true essence of Calabria.
