Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio
Discovering the Municipality of Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio
Welcome to Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio, a small municipality with a population of 1806 located in the southern part of the province of Catanzaro in Calabria. In this text, I will talk to you about the physical geography, the territory, and the history of our town.
Physical Geography
Sant'Andrea is surrounded by the beauty of nature, with the municipality extending from the Alaca River in the north to the Ionian Sea in the east. To the south, the Salùbro River serves as a border, while to the west, we find the Lancina, Mancipa, and Pecoraro mountains of the Calabrian Apennines. The village is situated on the hills of Maddalena, Lipontana, and Cerasia.
Territory
The territory of Sant'Andrea starts from sea level with the beautiful Sant'Andrea Marina and extends up to an altitude of 1,110 meters in Sant'Andrea Superiore, located at the same height as the town hall, which is situated at 330 meters.
History
The Ionian territories during the Greek-Roman period and the high Middle Ages
During the period of Magna Graecia, the region was prosperous and affluent. Later, after being occupied by the Romans, the Ionian territories experienced economic decline. The Ionian populations aligned with the Carthaginians, unleashing the wrath of the Romans who, using their power, inflicted their resentment on the populations that had aided their opponents.
During the late Empire, the "Cocinto" Castle was built to defend against barbarian invasions. It is unclear where the castle was located. Some historians place it among the ruins of ancient Cecina, now Satriano, while others believe it was situated on the tip of Stilo. Finally, it is said that the XVI century castle was built on the site of the Roman fort.
The latifundia, with its economy based on the exploitation of the territory, caused the abandonment of many villages by local populations. This led to the progressive covering of the land with spontaneous vegetation. The area between the Alaca and Salubro Rivers was uncultivated and wild until the ninth century. The mountains were covered with oak, beech, and other wild plants. The hillside areas towards the sea, on the other hand, were extremely green thanks to scrub vegetation such as blueberries and strawberry trees.
The birth of the village
It is said that the village originated around the year 1000, thanks to the shepherd Adriano, originally from Badolato. Legend has it that Adrian built his house in Sant'Andrea during a period when he was stranded due to flooding of the Salubro River. The hut turned into a modest dwelling, and other houses were built around it, forming the nucleus of the village of Sant'Andrea.
Conclusions
I hope this brief description has helped you get to know our Municipality a little better. Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio is a charming place where love for nature blends with history and legend. Come and visit us, and we will be happy to welcome you to our community.
