Comerconi
Discover Comèrconi, the small Calabrian village famous for wine and olive oil production
If you are looking for an enchanted place to spend a few days of tranquility, you have come to the right place! Today, we will talk about Comèrconi, a small village of 440 inhabitants located at the foot of Mount Poro, in the province of Vibo Valentia, Calabria.
History
Comèrconi has an ancient history, dating back to 950 AD. The population of Nicotera decided to move to this place to escape the Saracen attackers who had besieged their municipality. The strategic location offered greater security, which drove the population to found the new settlement.
Unfortunately, the village was struck by two major earthquakes, one in 1783 and one in 1908, which almost completely destroyed it. But the tenacity of its inhabitants pushed them to rebuild their small community.
The etymology of Comèrconi is interpreted in different ways. The most accredited is of Greek origin ''(village of Hercules),'' since in the territory of Poro and most of Calabria Ulterior, there was a great Greek-Byzantine influence derived from previous centuries.
Economy
Agriculture is the main source of Comèrconi's economy. The prevailing agricultural areas are those of olive trees, but there are also vineyards of black and white grapes (gaglioppo, malvasia, greco nero and bianco) that produce excellent quality wine. Even today, most of the wine is obtained with artisanal procedures passed down from generation to generation. The village also has numerous mills that produce high-quality extra virgin olive oil, using both modern and ancient extraction methods.
Monuments and places of interest
In Comèrconi, you can visit 2 churches, one dedicated to San Nicola di Bari, the patron saint of the village, and one to Santo Antonio di Padova, who has become over the years the second patron saint of the village. The feast of San Nicola is celebrated on December 6th, and the statue of the saint is carried in procession through the streets of the village. While the feast of Sant'Antonio is celebrated on June 13th with another procession that is deeply felt by the citizens.
The church of San Nicola underwent a complete reconstruction following the earthquake of 1783. The interiors were restored in previous years, changing almost completely architectural style but maintaining the original layout by architect Giuseppe Vinci.
On the outskirts of the village, there is a small church dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie, built in the post-World War II period and renovated in the 1980s. The citizens built the place of worship after an apparition of the Virgin to a citizen of Comerconi. The festivity is celebrated on July 2nd, when numerous citizens gather for the traditional procession in honor of the Mother of God.
Conclusions
Comèrconi is an enchanted place where you can taste the true essence of Calabria. The beauty of the hilly landscape, the excellent food and wine, accompanied by the genuineness of the locals, will make you feel at home. Come and visit Comèrconi, we are sure that once you arrive, you will cherish the memory of your stay in this small Calabrian village for a long time.
