Roccafiorita
Roccafiorita: the small Municipality of Valle d'Agrò
Located on the slopes of Mount Kalfa, Roccafiorita is a municipality in the metropolitan city of Messina in Sicily, with only 183 inhabitants. It is the least populated municipality in the entire Sicily and the fifth Italian municipality by extension. In this article, we discover the history and characteristics of the small Sicilian village.
Physical geography
Territory
Roccafiorita is located in the Valle d'Agrò, adhering to the Union of the municipalities of the Jonic valleys of the Peloritani. The territory lies on the slopes of Mount Kalfa.
Climate
The climate of Roccafiorita falls within zone D, with 1863 degree days.
History
Ancient age
According to some historians, the first inhabited nucleus of Roccafiorita dates back to Roman Sicily. During the Civil War of the first century B.C., the city of Taormina rebelled against the Romans and many inhabitants fled and dispersed into nearby towns. A group of Tauromenitans settled on the slopes of Mount Kalfa, where Roccafiorita is located today.
Middle age
During the Middle Ages, the territory of Roccafiorita was part of the Marquisate of Limina, but as far as ecclesiastical affairs were concerned, it depended on Savoca.
Modern age
In 1610, the Marquis of Limina, Pietro Balsamo, decided to found a town within his fief, which from 1624 took the name of Roccafiorita. The town was mainly populated by peasants from nearby Limina and families from all over the Valle d'Agrò, remaining under the feudal lordship of the Bonanni family.
Contemporary age
With the abolition of feudalism in Sicily in 1817, Roccafiorita became an autonomous municipality and was included in the district of Savoca. In 1929, the municipality was abolished by the fascist regime and merged with the neighboring municipality of Mongiuffi Melia. It regained its municipal autonomy in 1947.
Symbols
The coat of arms of Roccafiorita is described by the municipal statute as "a shield divided diagonally, with one side red and one blue, in which a wheat ear and a horn covered with laurel leaves are respectively depicted; the writing "Roccafiorita" is also present on the coat of arms". The municipal banner has the heraldic profile and colors of the municipality.
Roccafiorita, with its natural landscapes and ancient traditions, is an ideal place to relax and immerse oneself in Sicilian culture.
