San Giorgio Morgeto
San Giorgio Morgeto: a brief history of a Calabrian municipality
San Giorgio Morgeto is a small municipality in Calabria with a population of approximately 2956 people, located in the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria. The territory of the municipality is part of the Aspromonte National Park and hosts many sources that arise in the surrounding mountains.
History
Until the Unification of Italy, the municipality was known only as San Giorgio. After unification, due to the existence of many other municipalities with the same name, the municipality added "Morgeto" to its name. According to some historians, the foundation of the fortifications of San Giorgio Morgeto could be attributed to the Morgeti people mentioned by Proclus, Gaius Plinius Secundus, and Strabo. The city also traded with Ancient Greece before being under the rule of Ancient Rome.
In the 6th century, excavations of the poorly inhabited site of Altanum revealed the remains of fortifications of the Byzantine Empire. The castle, built in the 9th-10th century, was built following the construction of an important monastery dedicated to San Giorgio who defended the city against Arab attacks. At that time, the city was called Morgetia.
The strategic position of the city allowed it to dominate the plain of Gioia Tauro and become militarily relevant. In the 12th century, under the rule of Ruggero I of Sicily, the castle was significantly expanded. In 1324, San Giorgio was established as a Barony which included the fiefs of Polistena, Anoia, Cinquefrondi, San Pietro di Caridà, and Galatro. In the 15th century, the fief was assigned to the Curreale da Sorrento family and then to the Milano family, which held the title until 1806. Tommaso Campanella studied and took vows in the Convent of San Domenico in 1583. The earthquake of 1783 severely damaged the settlement, also destroying the Dominican convent.
Symbols
The coat of arms of the municipality of San Giorgio Morgeto represents a golden castle on a blue background. The gonfalon is also blue.
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architecture
The Convent of San Domenico has Byzantine origins and was granted in 1393 to the Caracciolo baron by Pope Boniface IX. The convent houses the church of the Annunziata.
The Matrice Church of the Assunta is the focal point of the religious life of the Sangiorgese community and is known for its wooden statues of the co-patrons, San Giorgio and San Giacomo, both of Neapolitan school. The church also houses a wooden crucifix and a major altar in polychrome marbles, both from the 18th century, and a 19th-century organ from Naples. It is also possible to observe the ancient "Pietra Santa," an element of worship for the faithful, on the external wall of the church.
In summary, San Giorgio Morgeto is a place full of history and culture, where the testimonials of the past merge with the daily life of the inhabitants, making it a characteristic municipality of Calabria.
