Santa Sofia d'Epiro
Santa Sofia d'Epiro: an Arbëreshë municipality with ancient traditions
Santa Sofia d'Epiro is a small municipality of about 2,384 inhabitants located in the province of Cosenza, in Calabria. Albanian is still spoken here today, which represents an important piece of Arbëreshë culture, the ethnic minority of Albanian descent that found refuge in Italy in the fifteenth century. The city proudly preserves its traditions and medieval architecture, as well as an important museum of Albanian costume and an academy of art and music.
A brief history of Santa Sofia d'Epiro
The city dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was founded near an already existing abandoned farmhouse. The surrounding hills were divided into five large districts: the Land of Santa Sofia and the hamlets of Musti, Appio, San Benedetto, and Pedilati. These small inhabited centers were enfeoffed to the bishops of Bisignano by Pope Celestine III with the bull of April 13, 1192 and by the King of Naples Tancred IV. According to some historical records, the population of Santa Sofia in 1269 was composed of 213 people and in 1276 the official number of families was 50. During the plague epidemic that struck Calabria in the mid-fourteenth century, the five boroughs were swept away, but the city recovered and became a place of refuge for Albanian refugees.
Living traditions
Today, Santa Sofia d'Epiro is famous for its language, Byzantine rite, costumes, customs, and traditions, all typical of the Arbëreshë ethnic group. The city is located in a protected natural area, which helps preserve its cultural identity and natural beauty. Medieval architecture is still visible, as are many of the local traditions, such as polyphonic singing and typical music.
The importance of the academy of art and music
An additional testament to the vitality of Arbëreshë culture is found in the Academy of Art and Music. Numerous are the groups that apply to metric musical research, and two in particular since the beginning of the second millennium play and sing in Albanian, taking up the traditional polyphonic songs and the musical and cultural tradition of Arbëreshë. The academy thus represents an important center for training and dissemination of local musical traditions, which constitute an invaluable heritage for Calabria and all of Italy.
Conclusions
Santa Sofia d'Epiro is a small municipality that represents a treasure of Italian culture, reflecting the richness of its traditions and the vitality of the Arbëreshë ethnic minority. Visiting this place is a unique and fascinating experience to discover the cultural roots of Italy, still alive and vibrant. The city stands out for the language, the Byzantine rite, the costumes, the customs, and the typical traditions of the Arbëreshë. The natural beauty of the area and the medieval architecture contribute to creating an enchanting atmosphere that cannot fail to capture the attention of visitors.
