EXPLORING GREEK'S STRONGHOLD
Known in Greek as Vunì, which means mountain, Roccaforte del Greco is located on a steep hill that offers a breathtaking view of the entire Hellenic Area. The birth of the village is linked to the monastery of the Holy Trinity, considered the most remote Byzantine bastion, located near Punta d'Atò, which in Greek means "top of the eagle". Inside the town church, dedicated to San Rocco, there is a statue depicting the Madonna with Child. This was created after the Latinisation of the diocese of Bova, in a period in which, following the spread of the plague in 1577, the cult of the pilgrim San Rocco replaced the older one of San Sebastiano, traditionally invoked by the Byzantines as a protector against epidemics.
Dominating the landscape, stands the majestic church of the Holy Spirit, a neoclassical style building built in 1930, located on the west side of the town, which developed after the 1908 earthquake. Of what was the ancient village of Roccaforte, founded on vestiges of ancient settlements, only the ruins of some rural homes remain. The toponymy of the place is also interesting, which evokes defensive places, such as the "castle area", located in the highest part of the village. However, it is unlikely that it was a real military castle.
Origin of the Name
The name "Roccaforte del Greco" is clearly composed of two distinct elements: "rocca" and "forte". In 1864, to distinguish it and underline its linguistic identity, the specification "del Greco" was added, referring to the language spoken in the area.
Before the Royal Decree of 1864, the country was simply known as "The Stronghold". However, the local inhabitants call it "Vunì", which is analogous to the Neo-Greek term "Bouv'", meaning "mountain".
Hamlets and Localities
Some of the hamlets and locations that are part of Roccaforte del Greco include Chorio di Roccaforte, Cuvolo and Santa Trada.
History of Roccaforte del Greco
Roccaforte del Greco boasts ancient roots, which date back to the times of Magna Graecia. Colonists from Doric Greece are believed to have founded the city in ancient times. However, historical records of Roccaforte are scarce until the early 16th century, a period in which, together with Gallicianò and Roghudi, it is mentioned by historians such as Barrio, Fiore and Marafioti.
In the past, Roccaforte was a hamlet of Amendolea and, therefore, under the dominion of this family until 1400. Over the centuries, various feudal lords have governed the city, including the Malda de Cardona, the Abenavoli del Franco, the Martirano and the De Mendozas. The last feudal dominion was that of the Ruffo di Bagnara, who reigned until 1806.
Originally known as Vunì, the city was renamed La Rocca when it became a pagus of Amendolea. Only in 1864, with a royal decree, was "del Greco" added to its name, underlining its linguistic roots.
Between the 9th and 11th centuries, the territory that today belongs to Roccaforte was under the dominion of Bova. The area was also an important center for monasteries, among which the monastery of Aghia Triada or SS.ma Trinità stands out, active between 1300 and 1400, and the abbey of San Nicola, dating back to the early 1600s.
Like many other cities in the region, Roccaforte was also seriously damaged by the 1783 earthquake.
Today, the city celebrates San Rocco as its patron saint. Every August 16, the faithful carry the statue of the saint from the church of San Rocco to the majestic church of the Holy Spirit, built in 1930, in honor of him.
Characters Connected to Roccaforte del Greco
Roccaforte del Greco has had the privilege of being visited and studied by numerous intellectuals and scholars over the years, who have helped to reveal and document its rich traditions and history.
Giuseppe Morosi (1873): This glottologist visited Roccaforte and was assisted by the Mayor Antonino Sgrò and the maestro Giuseppe Cento. Morosi studied the origins of the neo-Hellenic colonies and the linguistic question of the region. He theorized that Roccaforte was founded between the 9th and 11th centuries, a period in which Saracen incursions forced the population to seek refuge in high, inaccessible places.
Ettore Capialbi and Luigi Bruzzano (1883): These two scholars from Monteleone documented the popular traditions of Roccaforte. They published 43 short stories and 15 songs based on stories collected from local farmers.
Gerhard Rohlfs: This German glottologist, professor at the University of Tübingen, visited Roccaforte on several occasions between the 1920s and 1960s. He argued that the origins of Roccaforte dated back to the period of Magna Graecia.
Italo Calvino (1956): The famous Italian writer included in his book "The Italian Fairy Tales" two stories by Roccaforte, "The Widow and the Robber" and "The Crab with the Golden Eggs", which were first published once by Luigi Bruzzano in the 1890s.
Giuseppe Rossi-Taibbi and Girolamo Caracausi (1958): These two linguists visited Roccaforte and were welcomed by the Mayor Alberto Sergi. In 1959, they published "Neo-Greek Texts of Calabria", further contributing to the understanding of the region's rich linguistic heritage.
These eminent scholars and writers have helped preserve and highlight the rich history, culture and traditions of Roccaforte del Greco, making it a place of interest for history and culture enthusiasts.
Exploring the Historic Heart of Roccaforte del Greco
Roccaforte del Greco, splendidly located on three rocky outcrops, offers a panoramic view of the Amendolea valley. The beating heart of the village is its ancient part, which houses the Town Hall. Local legend tells that an ancient castle stood in this very place, which unfortunately collapsed due to a landslide. The village is divided into three main districts: Castello, Borgo and San Carlo, with the latter having very few inhabitants today.
While walking through the cobbled streets, you can admire the typical stone houses and remains of the ancient walls that once protected the town. This historic center offers numerous panoramic points from which, on clear days, it is possible to admire Sicily and even the summit of Etna.
One of the architectural jewels of the village is the Church of the Holy Spirit. This neoclassical structure, erected in 1930, sports an imposing façade with pilasters and a rectangular portal. The interior, with a single nave, is embellished with red marble columns and a decorated apse which houses a crucifix.
For those who wish to delve deeper into the history and culture of Roccaforte del Greco, the site roccafortedelgreco.net offers a rich source of information.