Sant'Angelo Muxaro
Sant'Angelo Muxaro: Discovering a Sicilian Municipality Rich in History and Culture
Sant'Angelo Muxaro is a municipality located in the Agrigento metropolitan area of Sicily, with a population of 1149 inhabitants. It is a small town situated on a hill 335 meters above sea level, overlooking the left bank of the Platani River.
Physical Geography
Sant'Angelo Muxaro is located in the Agrigento provincial area, and its position makes it a very suggestive place from a landscape point of view. The view of the fresh river valley is truly priceless.
Name Origins
The toponym Sant'Angelo seems to derive from the cult of Angelo from Jerusalem, also known as the "Angel of Sicily". Muxaro, on the other hand, is an Italian adaptation of ''Muxaru'', a word that still preserves the old Sicilian spelling today. The letter ''x'' in ancient Sicilian was used to represent the sound of a voiceless post-alveolar fricative. This second element seems to be connected to the term ''minšār'', which means 'saw' or 'place where fruits are dried', or even 'plate for sifting'.
History
The origins of Sant'Angelo Muxaro are uncertain, but it is known that an important Iron Age village arose around the 13th century BC from indigenous populations, identified with the Sicani. Such a village constitutes a valid chronological guide fossil for local production from the crisis of the first autochthonous society to the relationship with the first Greek settlers in the course of the 8th century BC - 7th century BC.
In the late 15th century, Sant'Angelo Muxaro became a destination for Albanian refugees who emigrated to the area following the Turkish invasion of the Balkans. In 1600, the barony was acquired by the Princes of Castelvetrano, D'Aragona and Tagliavia, and then passed to the jurisdiction of the Pignatelli, Dukes of Monteleone.
Symbols
In the past, Sant'Angelo Muxaro used an unofficial coat of arms that contained an Arab of flesh color with a turban surmounted by a half-moon. However, in 2020, a historical research process was initiated to create a communal coat of arms that was more connected to the truth and tradition of the local community.
On January 12, 2021, the President of the Republic granted the citizens of Sant'Angelo Muxaro new civic symbols that represent an important step for the preservation of the community's history and culture:
•The coat of arms
•The flag
•The gonfalon.
Conclusions
Sant'Angelo Muxaro is a place rich in charm and history. Its hillside position offers a panoramic view of the valley, and the presence of archaeological artifacts allows you to know its ancient origins. The new coat of arms will allow citizens to better identify with their community and feel part of its history and culture, which from this moment on will be an integral part of the country's identity. If you happen to be passing through the area, don't miss the opportunity to visit Sant'Angelo Muxaro and discover its natural and cultural wonders.
