Scigliano
Introduction
Hello friends, today I would like to talk to you about a town located in the province of Cosenza, in Calabria. I'm talking about Scigliano, a small town with only 1161 inhabitants, but with an incredible history and beauty. Come with me to discover this enchanting place!
Physical geography
Scigliano consists of nine localities, which are Agrifoglio, Calvisi, Celsita, Cupani, Diano, Lupia, Petrisi, Porticelle and Traversa. These localities are located on a hill about 600 meters above sea level, at the foot of the Sila. The territory covers an area of 17.46 km² with altitudes ranging from 180 m to 1200 m above sea level. The surrounding area is characterized by the typical Mediterranean vegetation of these areas. Scigliano is crossed by two rivers, the Savuto and the Bisirico, and still preserves an ancient Roman bridge from the 2nd century BC called the Bridge of Hannibal.
Origin of the name
The name Scigliano may derive from the Latin name Sillius, to which the possessive suffix -anus has been added. Others instead think that the name can be traced back to the Greek name Aesquillius, Αισχύλλος.
History
According to tradition, Scigliano was founded on the site of an ancient village called Sturni and grew around a castle commissioned in the year 556 of Rome by the Roman Marco Giulio Sillano. In the 16th century, Scigliano was one of the most important municipalities in the Kingdom of Naples. The city was often attacked by the lords Firrao, di Gennaro and d'Aquino but the citizens were always able to redeem their freedom with gold. To avoid vassalage and the tyranny of feudal lords, Scigliano always remained faithful to the kings of Naples, Aragonese or Bourbons. An important historical episode was the sale of Scigliano by the Viceroy of Naples Pedro Afán de Ribera to the Prince of Castiglione Cesare d'Aquino in May 1631, until the ransom that took place on September 12, 1636. This episode is dedicated to the vernacular poem in Ottava rima ''Lu ricattu de Sciglianu'' (The ransom of Scigliano) written by Flaminio Cimino in 1636. In the 17th century, the civil and judicial jurisdiction of Scigliano extended over a vast area, from the Savuto to the western borders of Taverna and Gimigliano, including seven neighborhoods and twenty-one villages.
Conclusions
Scigliano is a truly special place, rich in history and natural beauty. The nine localities that make up this scattered municipality are characterized by typical Mediterranean vegetation. The territory is crossed by two rivers and still preserves an ancient Roman bridge. Scigliano has been at the center of important historical events and has always defended its freedom and independence. If you have the opportunity to visit this municipality, you will not regret it. You will discover a corner of Calabria that will enchant you!
