DISCOVER MOTTA SAN GIOVANNI: BETWEEN HISTORY AND VIEWS
A Balcony on History
Motta San Giovanni, located 450 meters above sea level, offers a breathtaking panoramic view. The name "motta" evokes images of ancient fortresses erected on inaccessible cliffs, dominating the surrounding landscape and offering protection to its inhabitants. These fortified centers were often strategic places, ideal for defending against invaders and having a clear view of the surrounding territory.
Origins Shrouded in Mystery
Despite its strategic position, the origins of Motta San Giovanni remain shrouded in mystery. It is believed that the town began to develop around 1500, following the destruction of the nearby fortress of San Niceto. However, the lack of certain documentation makes it difficult to precisely trace the history of its origins.
Rebirth after the Tragedy
Like many other towns in the Grecanica area, Motta San Giovanni was not spared from the fury of the 1908 earthquake. The devastation led to the destruction of a large part of the town. However, the resilience and determination of its people enabled rapid reconstruction. Instead of rebuilding on the same site, the inhabitants decided to move slightly further downstream, creating the town we see today.
An Invitation to Discovery
Visiting Motta San Giovanni is an experience that combines history, culture and breathtaking views. Every corner of the country tells a story, every stone has a memory. Walking through its streets, you can feel the breath of the past and admire the beauty of the present. It is a place that invites reflection, discovery and admiration of the wonders that nature and history can offer.
A JOURNEY IN TIME THROUGH MOTTA SAN GIOVANNI
The origins
Motta San Giovanni has deep roots that date back to antiquity. Initially, it was considered an extension of the castrum (fortified settlement) of San Niceto. However, its history takes a significant turn when San Niceto was destroyed in the fifteenth century, and Motta San Giovanni absorbed what remained of it.
Fiefs and Patriciates
In 1507, Motta San Giovanni became an autonomous fiefdom under the control of the Aragona of Montalto. Over the following decades, power passed through the hands of four patrician families of Messina: the Minutolo in 1561, the Marquett in 1565, the Villadicane in 1576 and the Ioppolo. The Ioppolos lost control of the fiefdom and in 1605 it was purchased by Carlo Ruffo of Bagnara, who had to shell out a considerable sum of ducats to acquire it. In the seventeenth century, Motta San Giovanni was still an important enclave of Greek priests. This community was presided over by Nicola Stavriano, who was related to Bishop Giulio Stavriano, known for having abolished the Greek rite in Bova in 1572.
The Title of Princes
When the Ruffos of Bagnara obtained the title of princes, in 1682, they decided to transfer it to Motta San Giovanni. This gesture underlined the importance they attributed to the village. However, the feudal system ended with the advent of the French government in 1806.
The Art of Reggina Stone
Motta San Giovanni has always been renowned for the artisanal processing of Reggina stone, a calcareous sedimentary rock widely used in construction. This stone was extracted mainly from the quarries of the Sarto district in Motta San Giovanni and from the Capo d'Armi promontory, known as Leocupetra (white stone) by the Greeks. In 44 BC, even Cicero landed in this area, as a guest in the villa of Publius Valerius, while he was traveling to Greece, fleeing from Antony.
Motta San Giovanni is a place that tells ancient stories through its stones and monuments, and offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the history of Aspromonte and Calabria.
EXPLORE THE CASTLE OF SAN NICETO
One of the most evocative places to visit in Motta San Giovanni is the Castle of San Niceto. The origins of this fortress date back to the beginning of the 11th century and it is mentioned as a "castrum" in the Angevin registers of 1268. In 1459, the castle was annexed to Reggio Calabria. The castle has an irregular plan with numerous ruins, including an escarpment tower used as a keep, a building adjacent to the walls, a central palace and a sacred building. The surrounding walls follow the edge of the escarpment, but are interrupted by the presence of a transverse wall that divides the fortified area into two parts. Most of the walls are well preserved, with the exception of an area to the south which collapsed due to landslides. The masonry techniques used include squared stone and slabs, with corners made from blocks.
THE CHURCH OF SAN GIOVANNI TELOGO
In the heart of the town, you will find the Church of San Giovanni Theologo. Inside this church there is a statue of Saint John with an eagle at his feet. A particular panel at the base of the statue bears a heraldic coat of arms of the Aragon, quartered with the insignia of the Anjou. This detail suggests that the statue may have been created when Motta San Giovanni became an autonomous fiefdom. This dating is in line with the statements of Frangipane, which places the execution of the statue around the fourth decade of the 16th century.
THE SACRESTY OF THE CHURCH OF SAN ROCCO
Not far away, the sacristy of the Church of San Rocco preserves an important corpus of stone materials. These materials come from local places of worship and can be dated to the 17th and 18th centuries. These finds provide valuable information on the history and sacred art of the region during that period.