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Acri
Comune
Comune di Acri
Coat of arms
Location of Acri
Acri Location of Acri in Italy Show map of Italy Acri Acri (Calabria) Show map of Calabria
Coordinates: 39°30′N 16°23′E / 39.500°N 16.383°E / 39.500; 16.383
Country	Italy
Region	Calabria
Province	Cosenza (CS)
Government
• Mayor	Pino Capalbo
Area [1]
• Total	200.63 km2 (77.46 sq mi)
Elevation	720 m (2,360 ft)
Population  (10 August 2020)[2]
• Total	19,949
• Density	99/km2 (260/sq mi)
Demonyms	Acresi, Acritani
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	87041
Dialing code	0984
Patron saint	Saint Angelo d'Acri
Saint day	30 October
Website	Official website

Acri (Calabrian: Eacri) is a city with 19,949 inhabitants, situated in the northern part of the Calabria region in southern Italy. Acri was granted city status on 17 September 2001.^[3]

The etymology of the word Acri derives from the Greek word 'ακρα' (Akra), which means peak.

Geography

Territory

Acri’s urban center is located at 720 m (2,360 ft) near the Sila mountains. Its territory extends over 200.63 km2 (77.46 sq mi). The city dominates the Mucone valley and the Crati valley.

The town's main rivers are the Mucone, Calamo, and Duglia.

Between 2006 and 2015, more forest fire cases were caused by unknown individuals in Acri compared to other municipalities.^[4]

Climate

The climate is Mediterranean, characterized by harsh winters and dry, hot summers. This is not uniform throughout the whole town, and the suburbs may differ from the city center.

Politics

• Mayor: 2000 – 2005: Nicola Tenuta
• Mayor: 2005 – 2010: Elio Coschignano
• Mayor: 2010 – 2012: Gino Trematerra
• Mayor: 2012 – 2013: Luigi Maiorano
• Mayor: 2013 – 2017: Nicola Tenuta
• Prefectural Commissioner: 2017 – 2017: Maria Vercillo
• Mayor: 2017 – : Pino Capalbo

Monuments and places of interest

Acri's coat of arms features three mountains surmounted by three stars, with the words: "Acrae, Tri Vertex, Montis Fertilis, U.A. (Universitas Acrensis)." The oldest known version of Acri’s heraldic coat of arms, dating back to 1524, was made of stone along with the coat of arms of the feudal families of the time, the Princes San Severino da Bisignano. This coat of arms can be found on the door of the Church and Convent of San Domenico.

Civil architectures

Castle of Acri

The Castle of Acri, also known as Rocca dei Bruzii, was a defensive structure believed by historians to have been erected during the Bruttian era. Today, only a splendid tower remains, which has become a symbol of the city.

It is located on the edge of the territory controlled by the powerful Sybaris during the time of Magna Graecia. The hypothesis of Bruzian construction now seems fully supported by various archaeological finds, dating from the Eneolithic to the final Bronze Age, discovered around the old city of Acri.

Later, it was a Roman fortress, as described on a Latin marble plaque found in 1890, with the inscription "XII LEGIO," and small portions of Greek mosaics discovered near the castle.

The shape of the castle was originally trapezoidal, with three towers positioned at the highest part and the fourth placed at the lowest level of the defensive walls to control the drawbridge or the machicolation gate. The defensive walls surrounded the entire citadel of the Pàdia district.

The surrounding walls of the castle have a thickness of about 2 meters at the highest part of the perimeter, while the walls at the lower level were described as having a thickness of about 4 meters.

Visible until the early 20th century, the cistern for water supply during a siege was located north of the existing tower. It was approximately two floors high, with each floor being 3 meters in height and 20 meters wide.

In 1999, several coins of Greek origin were found in the walls of the castle, including some from Sybaris, others from Thurii, and only one from Crotone, now in the possession of the Archaeological Superintendence of Sibaritide.

Palaces

Palazzo Sanseverino-Falcone

Belonging to the powerful Calabrian family of Sanseverino, it was built starting from the 17th century by Giuseppe Leopoldo Sanseverino X, Prince of Bisignano. The builder of the structure was Stefano Vangeri from Rogliano, who worked until 1720, likely completing the finishing touches that year. The building consists of four floors; the ground floor and first floor served as a sort of guardhouse for the prince. The east wing of the ground floor features a large hall known as the Sala delle Colonne, adorned with eight stone columns topped with late sixteenth-century style capitals, believed by some to have been reused from a previous building, possibly a church.

The second floor, also known as noble floor where the family resided, contains several halls adorned with frescoes, some of which, although partially deteriorated, are still visible. The third floor was used for servants and the kitchen.

Palazzo Padula

Owned by the poet Vincenzo Padula, the palace was built in an originally isolated area devoid of buildings. On the portal of the palace, he had two feathers and an inkwell sculpted, symbols from his family's coat of arms. The palace was equipped with loopholes for firearms, used to defend against frequent attacks by brigands during that period. Today, the palace houses the Municipal Library and the Museum of Rural Civilization.

Palazzo Julia

Dating back to the 15th century, this property has always belonged to the Julia family, passing down from father to son. It was constructed in two distinct periods: the first phase dates back to the 16th century, and the second phase was completed at the end of the 18th century. The building spans three floors and houses a rich library with over five thousand volumes, including texts from the 16th and 17th centuries, along with some rare ancient editions.

Palazzo De Simone-Julia

The building bears the name of its owners, the De Simone family and their heirs, the Julia family. The palace was constructed in the early 17th century and is located in the historic center.

Palazzo Spezzano

Ancient noble residence dating back to the 18th century, the palace of the Spezzano noble family.

Palazzo Astorino Giannone

Originally inhabited by the Astorino family in the 1700s, the palace later passed to the Fusari family. The Giannone family, originally from Bitonto in province of Bari, extensively transformed the building into an ancient country mansion. Inside, there are still furniture and paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as a library consisting of thousands of ancient volumes from the same periods.

Palazzo Civitate

This ancient palace belonged to the noble Civitate family until 1800, originally from San Marco Argentano, who settled in Acri in the 1400s. The building spans three floors, with cellars located on the south side. Much of its original splendor has been lost due to transformations by subsequent owners. The entrance door, adorned with the Civitate family coat of arms, remains unchanged from antiquity, as do three iron cages called caggiarole in the local dialect. These cages were placed on the wall facing Azzinnari square by the Napoleonic army, where the heads of three infamous bandit leaders were displayed. They were accused of kidnapping and killing three sons of the Civitate family between 1720 and 1730.

Religious architecture

• Church of the Madonna del Rinfresco, built by the parish priest Giacomo De Piris in 1521
• Church and convent of San Francesco di Paola. Dated between the 16th and 17th centuries
• Basilica of Sant'Angelo
• Church of Santa Chiara built in 1420
• Church of the Annunziata, whose first historical mention is 1269, in the ancient church now transformed into a sacristy, a Byzantine-Gothic style fresco was recently discovered depicting the deposition of Jesus Christ on Golgotha by an unknown artist, at the bottom words in ancient Gothic
• Church and convent of the Capuchin Fathers of 1590
• Church of San Nicola Ante Castillum (San Nicola of Mjra)
  • Rebuilt in the early 15th century, the structure likely originated in the 10th-11th century. During consolidation efforts, remnants of the original structure from a previous church dating back to around the 8th century were discovered. In the records of Bishop Ruffino's audience, there is mention of the church reopening for worship after the devastating earthquake of 1080–1081, and the consecration of five Greek rite priests.
• Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, 1269.
  • During the restoration works in 2004 and subsequently in 2007, numerous discoveries were made that conclusively date the church to the early Christian period.
• Church of Santa Caterina believed to have been built around 1500.
  • Partly destroyed by the earthquake of 1638.
• Church of San Nicola da Belvedere of the ancient Greek rite, located in the ancient Casalicchio district.
  • It is recorded in Bishop Ruffino da Bisignano's records that this church reopened for worship after the devastating earthquake of 1080. Additionally, the church was mentioned for the first time in 1070 when Queen Giovanna d'Angiò gifted it to Count Simone Cofone of Acri and Padia.

Economy

The Acre Pig Reproduction Experimental Center (ARSA) focuses on breeding black pigs and supports activities ranging from production to processing, including experimental work on Calabrian delicacies. Its related activities include the recovery, enhancement, breeding, and promotion of local pig farming, with a particular emphasis on the Calabrian black pig. Pig production plays a crucial role in sustaining the locally renowned charcuterie industry.^[7][8]

There are artisanal businesses and small industrial companies in the area.^[7]

It also produces and exports wine, oil, and livestock.

Infrastructure and transport

The main connection road is SP660, which links Acri with the A2 motorway ( Reggio – Salerno ) and the Sila National Park. Another important road is SP177, which connects Acri with the SS106 ( Reggio – Taranto ) and the cities of Corigliano-Rossano. The risk of road accidents is high along SP660.^[9]

Sports

Sports facilities

"Pasquale Castrovillari" Municipal Stadium has a capacity of 5000 seats.

Football

The main team in the city is Calcio Acri, which plays in the Calabria Promotion championship. Additionally, there is a 5-a-side football team called Calcio a 5 Acri, participating in the provincial championship of the CSI.

Rugby

Also present is the rugby team, "Rugby Acri," which has achieved significant successes on the regional scene in recent years.

Historyedit

The origins of the city of Acri have long been debated among scholars and are generally attributed to the ancient Osci people, who were later supplanted by the Bruzi and Lucani.

Prehistoric settlementsedit

The archaeological site of Colle Logna in Acri was discovered by Prof. Giuseppe Palermo in 1996. Excavations at the site began in 1998 under the Archaeological Superintendence of Calabria, Sibari Excavation Office, in collaboration with the European Protohistory Department of Università "La Sapienza" di Roma. A human settlement was uncovered on the western slopes of Colle Logna. The oldest artifacts found date back to the beginning of the Middle Neolithic (6350 +/-50 BC),^[10] while the more recent artifacts are identified as belonging to the ancient Bronze Age (2800-2100 BC).

In 2002, a second site was identified in the locality of Policaretto, within the municipality of Acri. The two settlements are located opposite each other. Identical materials have been found, but in the second site, they are present in greater quantities and possibly older, according to experts. The extent of the second settlement must have been considerable, encompassing several hill peaks.

In July 2002, a third excavation campaign started in the Policaretto locality.

Among the findings on the site, notable discoveries include ovens used for processing ceramics, Bruzian pottery, and the remains of a Roman villa dating to the 2nd-1st century BC. Other artifacts found in the area include obsidian and flint arrowheads, fragments of local pottery (Osca or Bruzian), remains of archaic Greek pottery, small bronze objects, and various Greek coins, which are now kept at the National Archaeological Museum of Sibaritide.

So, in summary, a human settlement was present in the territory of Acri between the Eneolithic and the Late Bronze Age.

Pandosiaedit

"Pandosia Bruzia" is an ancient city mentioned by ancient historians and likely located in the territory of Acri.

Pandosia is described by the historian Strabo (VI 1, -5) as the ancient capital of the Enotri people, thus indicating its importance as a center between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. In later times, it is remembered because King Alexander I of Epirus was murdered near the river Acheron, which flowed in its vicinity.

In the historic center as well as in the surroundings of Acri, significant archaeological findings analyzed with carbon-14 have revealed continuous habitation from the Pre-Eneolithic period up to the Iron Age. Furthermore, subsequent discoveries indicate occupation extending into the Classical Age.

Acri in Roman timesedit

Acri opposed the dominion of Rome but, after the Battle of Cannae, sided with the Carthaginians and subsequently surrendered in 203 BC.

Their desire for freedom was reignited between 73 and 71 BC when, together with neighboring municipalities, they supported Spartacus' revolt. Spartacus was encamped in the territories known as Campo Vile near the municipality of Bisignano during the Third Servile War.^[11]

Procopius tells us that Acri's fortress later passed to Emperor Justinian. In 542, there are accounts of the strenuous resistance that the city of Acri put up against the Ostrogoths led by Totila. However, Totila eventually conquered the city through starvation and thirst, sacked it, destroyed much of it, and committed horrendous acts of violence.

Acri in medieval and modern timesedit

In the first half of 650 and again at the end of 670, to escape an intense epidemic of malaria, the inhabitants who remained in nearby Thurii moved to Acri. This demographic increase led to a clear improvement in productive activities, marking a period of general well-being.

From the Longobards to the Normansedit

With the arrival of the Longobards in the Crati valley, Acri immediately became their Gastaldato, holding considerable economic importance. This continued at least until 896 when it was first occupied by the Byzantines and later by the Saracens.

After its liberation, three other Saracen raids are documented in 945, 1009, and 1200.

During the initial period of the Normans' arrival, led by Roberto il Guiscardo, Acri and the city of Bisignano, the two strongest cities in the Crati valley, were repeatedly attacked and sacked. At the end of the war, Guiscard granted extensive privileges to the nobles to maintain and consolidate his power.

In the year 1074-1075, he granted Count Simone Cofone (Count of Acri and Pàdia) large portions of the Sila territory, which at the time was partly the ancient possession of the Cistercian monks of the monastery known as dei Menna, and partly owned by Count Cofone.^[12]

Between 1084 and 1086 AD, a conflict of interest erupted into a bloody war. The truce, which allowed the Count of Acri to retain possession of the lands but required him to pay tribute to the monks, proved to be illusory. Further disputes ensued, leading to attacks on the convent and neighboring areas in a violent manner. The situation escalated to the point where Pope Urban II excommunicated all involved parties, and the Norman authorities sentenced them to five years in prison. Additionally, they were ordered to pay five thousand pounds of gold and silver to the monks' adversaries, who regained control of the lands.^[13]

Meanwhile, during that period, the slow but progressive process of Latinization, promoted by the Normans, continued. This occurred in an environment that was strongly tied to the Byzantine culture. Between 982 and 987, Saint Nilus of Rossano founded the monastery of Saints Hadrian, Natalia, and Demetrius in the territory of Acri, which became the most significant center of the Basilian monks in Calabria. Near the monastery, the districts of Picitti, Schifo, and Poggio arose, which were later absorbed over time by the Albanian village of San Demetrio Corone.^[14]

The monastic order of the Cistercians played a significant role in the spiritual life of the Acri region. They constructed the monastery known as the SS. Trinity de Lignos Crucis between 1153 and 1195. The monastery housed Abbot Gioacchino da Fiore and was likely destroyed during the last Saracen incursion into the territory around 1220–1240. The monastery was crucial for the development of sericulture and various other craft activities, such as leather tanning and manufacturing.^[15]

Earthquake of 1185edit

In the History of Bisignano, it describes an earthquake that occurred in the ancient diocese of Bisignano, mentioning that under the rule of Guglielmo II between 1184 and 1186, Calabria was shaken by terrible earthquakes. Various centers in the Presila region were damaged or completely destroyed, and in 1185, Acri was almost completely destroyed by the earthquake. The devastation was compounded by hunger and cholera following a prolonged drought, worsening the plight of the survivors. It took several months of effort, primarily to clear landslides, before a communication route could be reopened to bring wagons and aid to the most isolated areas of the territory. Other documented earthquakes include those of 908, December 10, 968, 990, May 24, 1184, October 24, 1186, March 27, 1638, 1712, 1738, July 14, 1767, February 5, 1783, 1787, December 10, 1824, March 8, 1832, October 12, 1835, and April 24, 1836.^[16]

Cholera and plague epidemicsedit

In addition to cholera between 1184 and 1186, it is known for certain that Calabria, especially Cosenza, suffered from various epidemics that significantly reduced the existing population. Documented are the plagues of 1348, and subsequent outbreaks in 1422, 1528, 1575, 1656, 1638, 1738, and finally the Spanish flu, which occurred in the early 20th century and reportedly claimed the lives of about a thousand citizens according to the census.^[17]

Acri in 1300edit

In 1300, the number of state-owned cities, meaning those not held as fiefdoms by private families and remaining under the crown's possession, was considerable.

The Sangineto and the Sanseverino demanded the restitution of the territories acquired by the Diocese of Bisignano, which they believed had been usurped by the bishops and abbots.

Between these lands and fiefdoms was Acri, under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Bisignano, who was forbidden to consider them Church fiefs. According to precedents established by Charles I of Anjou, these territories and their respective castles fell within the sphere of competence and jurisdiction of the barons. The bishop's stubborn refusal to relinquish the lands and renounce the alleged feudal rights provoked the powerful barons' revenge.

The riots, reprisals, and violent, bloody clashes between the various factions were continuous, with the most significant and dramatic occurring in 1339.

Baron Ruggero II Sangineto, taking advantage of the confusion prevailing in Bisignano at the time, was able to carry out his plan: from Corigliano, he led a group of armed horsemen to Acri. They gathered hungry and needy common people eager for looting and plunder, and together they headed for Bisignano.

On 28 June, 1339, the eve of the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, they entered the city of Bisignano and killed the Bishop's personal guards, family members, and all those who defended him.

Finally, the dying bishop was mercilessly dragged and tied to the tail of the Sangineto horse.

With other convicts, he was taken to a place called Scannaturu, likely located behind the current church of San Domenico.

The unfortunate bishop, now lifeless, was condemned to be beheaded, a sentence that was immediately carried out, as was the fate of all the other condemned individuals.^[18][19]

Frederick II, the Angevins and the Aragoneseedit

During the reign of Frederick II, the city enjoyed a period of relative tranquility and considerable economic prosperity. It became an important center in the silk trade until the arrival of the Angevins and later the Aragonese, who considerably weakened the city's economy with heavy taxes.

In 1462, the Duke of San Marco Argentano, Luca Sanseverino, purchased the cities of Acri and Bisignano from the tax authorities, with the concession of King Ferrante I d'Aragona, for the sum of 20,000 gold and silver ducats.

In the same year, the city of Acri, which remained loyal to the Angevins, endured a severe siege by the Aragonese troops. Despite their efforts to conquer the city, they succeeded through the collaboration of a traitor named Milan. Milan provided the enemy troops with signals from the guards at the outposts, and at the appointed time, in the middle of the night, he opened the city gates.

The heroic commander of the city guards, Nicolò Clancioffo, was sawn alive by the loins in the square of the castle, and his body was divided into four pieces, which were then exhibited on the four towers of the castle.

From a document by the notary Marsilio Aliprandi dated 1479–80, it is stated that many properties in the Parrieti, Padia, Picitti, and Castello districts were sold as vegetable gardens because the houses had been burned down, now in ruins, and there were not enough men to rebuild the said neighborhoods.

We do not have complete records of 1462, but it is assumed that during that war, the city lost about two thousand inhabitants, including part of the armies that followed Viceroy Grimaldi. He managed to escape from the dungeons of the Castle di Acri with a few of his men and took refuge in nearby Longobucco.

Acri from 1492 to 1499edit

From 1492, Acri came under the Aragonese governorate. Upon the descent of Charles VIII, the Prince of Bisignano set off to meet the king, while the Count of Acri and the Marquis of Squillace fled and took refuge in Sicily. Their possessions were confiscated by King Charles and given to a certain D'Aubugny, loyal to the Angevins, allies of Charles VIII. Upon learning of the donation of their lands to D'Aubugny, they again supported the Aragonese cause. The city of Acri sided with King Frederick of Aragon, an allegiance that led to another siege of Acri in 1496-1497, involving modern siege weapons. The city was sacked by the Angevins, the castle was almost completely destroyed, and some important noble palaces were razed. The leaders of the people, Placido and Sebastiano of the powerful Salvidio family, were killed, their bodies torn apart and thrown into manure.^{[20][21][22][23]} Zdroj:https://en.wikipedia.org?pojem=Acri
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