Savoca
Hi friends! Today I want to talk to you about Savoca, a delightful Italian commune in the metropolitan city of Messina in Sicily.
Physical geography
Territory
Savoca covers an area of about 8 square kilometers and its historic center is located on a rocky hill overlooking the Ionian Sea. The vegetation is typically Mediterranean, with citrus and vineyards in the hilly areas.
The municipal capital is located at 303 meters above sea level, while most of the population lives in the fractions of Rina, San Francesco di Paola, and Contura, near the Valley of Agrò.
History
The history of Savoca dates back to the Roman era, but it is during the 12th century, with the establishment of the Kingdom of Sicily, that the town becomes an important center of the Valley of Agrò and the Sicilian Ionian coast. In the 15th-18th centuries, Savoca experiences a period of political, economic, and cultural development.
The decline comes in the 19th century, with the transfer of the inhabitants to the nearest centers. In 1929, the fascist regime took away Savoca's municipal autonomy and merged it with Santa Teresa di Riva, regained only in 1948. Thanks to tourism, in the last 45 years, the decline seems to have stopped.
Monuments and places of interest
Religious architecture
Savoca's historic center is populated with ancient churches, many of which are still accessible. The Church of Santa Maria in Cielo Assunta is the mother church of Savoca and an Italian national monument since 1910.
The Church of San Michele Arcangelo dates back to the 12th century and has a Baroque Sicilian-style façade, while the Church of San Nicolò is a Norman church from the 13th century. The Old Church of Santa Lucia, dating back to the 13th century, contains the silver statue of Saint Lucia.
Other
Savoca is also known for being a location of Francis Ford Coppola's film "The Godfather". In the historic center, you can visit some places used for filming, including Bar Vitelli and Belvedere di Sant'Anna.
Furthermore, the historic center is rich in historic buildings, such as Palazzo Zagari and Palazzo Trimarchi.
Curiosities
The popularity of Savoca has attracted various famous people, including the composer Nino Rota, the leader Giovanni da Procida, and the actress Michelle Hunziker, who purchased a villa in the area.
Additionally, Savoca was chosen as the venue for the G7 Agriculture meeting, one of the major international conferences on agriculture.
I hope you enjoyed my presentation of Savoca. If you're looking for a peaceful and rich place in history and culture, you can't miss this charming commune!
