Position
Forza
D'Agrò is an old territory 420 metres above the coast of the
Ionian Sea. There are about 1000 inhabitants, of which, part belong to
Scifì.
The province of Messina is 42 Km north and Taormina is 15 Km south.
In the distance one can also admire Etna, majestic and smoking and also
the peak of Mongibello.
The Forzese territory has an extension oh 10.61
Kmq. Its neighbouring villages are: Letojanni, Gallodoro, Mongiuffi, Melia,
Roccafiorita, Limina, Casalvecchio, Savoca end S. Alessio Siculo. Two
roads of importance, the SS114 Orientale Sicula and the Austostrada A18
allow for the townspeople to reach two close and important centres:
Messina and Catania. There are daily bus connections with Messina
and Taormina. The closest station is S. Alessio, around 6 km from
Forza d'Agrò. Before
being governed by Rome, the area around Forza d'Agrò was adminstered from
Turin, and before this, it was under the authority of Madrid, Vienna and
Constantinople. Throughout its history, it has been conquered by the
French, English and Germans and previously, was colonised by the Greeks,
then the Arabs and the Normans. The
intense history of invasions in its past is explained by its geographical
positioning. Given that the Strait of Messina was the principle
transportation route between the west and the east, the commanders of this
area had particular strategic value. Here,
priates and smugglers in need of a secure base on solid ground often found
refuge. The
result was a fusion of cultures. Many peoples have left their
imprint on the architecture of the place, on the agricultural methods, on
the dress, and the local language. From one side, there is a series
of invaders which have superimposed themselves on this socieity, from the
other, there is the population who have been subjected to this situation. This
gives a particularly fascinating aspect to the history of Forza d'Agrò. |
