Santa Maria di Licodia
Santa Maria di Licodia: A Sicilian Hilltop Town
Santa Maria di Licodia is an Italian municipality located 442 meters above sea level, on the southwestern slope of Mount Etna, with a population of 7386 inhabitants. The town has a strategic geographical location, as it is located close to the Strada Statale 121 Catanese and the Ferrovia Circumetnea. In this text, we will take a closer look at the unique history and culture of Santa Maria di Licodia.
The Physical Geography of Santa Maria di Licodia
The municipality of Santa Maria di Licodia is surrounded by lush countryside, where mainly citrus fruits, olive groves, and vineyards are cultivated. The Circumetnea Railway and the former Strada Statale 121 Catanese, which is called Vittorio Emanuele street in the town center, cross the town. Santa Maria di Licodia is part of the metropolitan area of Catania and is included among the municipalities of the Etna Park. The town borders the municipalities of Biancavilla, Paternò and Ragalna.
Origins of the Name of Santa Maria di Licodia
The name "Licodia" may derive from the ancient Greek "Lico", which means "wolf", referring to the presence of wolves in the area. Other historians argue that the name derives from the term forest, referring to the wooded area that covered the territory on which the Roman city once stood. Other opinions assert that "Licodia" means beautiful view, as from the town's hilltop there is an excellent view of the Erei Mountains and the Catania Plain.
The History of Santa Maria di Licodia
Origins of Santa Maria di Licodia
The history of Santa Maria di Licodia has distant origins. According to many historians, the present-day municipality derives from the ancient city of Inessa, whose genesis dates back to the period of the Sicani domination of Sicily, namely to the 12th or 11th century BC. This is confirmed in a text by the Greek author Polieno the Macedonian, who in chapter V of his "Stratagems" narrates an artifice by Falaride against the city of Inessa.
Ancient Age
Gelon I, tyrant of Syracuse, imposed himself by force to assert the authority of the Dorian cities over the Chalcidian ones. Marching on Catania, he conquered it, populated it with Greek and Syracusan colonists and changed its name to Etna, after the nearby volcano in 476 BC. At the time of its brief government, the city hosted many Dorian families. After his death, his brother Trastibulo took over, but due to his misgovernment, he had to flee. Later, the Catanesi expelled their fellow citizens and, taking advantage of Trastibulo's defeat and with the help of the Sicilian prince Ducezio, marched towards the city. The Catanesi, driven out of the city, obtained to be able to withdraw to the Vicaria, in turn occupied by the soldiers of Syracuse, and then to the city of Inessa, which they renamed Etna in memory of their ancient lost homeland. Historians, however, did not forget the ancient name and called the city promiscuously both Etna and Inessa.
The Roman Occupation
During the period of Roman domination of Sicily, exactly at the time of Cicero (73-70 BC), the city of Etna was famous for the cultivation of wheat and was part of the cities called "Decumane". Like all Sicilian centers, it also fell victim to the tyranny of the Roman Consul Caio Verre. Cicerone recounts, in Book III of the Verrine, an event that took place in the forum of Etna. Verre, in that period, had the skilled weavers of the city prepare precious purple cloths.
Conclusion
In this text, we have explored the geography and history of Santa Maria di Licodia, a hilltop town located on the southwestern slope of Mount Etna. As the town has a strategic geographical position and an ancient history, it is worth a visit.
