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The further one goes into the mountains the more
impassible it becomes. There are abandoned farm-houses and palmates (used
for wine making). The atmospheric surroundings and the men of the past
were able to excavate shelters in the heavy rocks for themselves and for
their animals. It is thought that some were used by hermits
for their dwelling place. These are visible at the foot of "Rocche
a Scala" (Stairs in Rocks) at Rizzo on the boundaries of
Gallodoro close to Serro S. Anna and the green
woods of Margi. The panorama that can be admired from the heights
of Forza D'Agrò are varied and enchanting but the most fascinating
cosist of the primeval pastoral areas.
To appreciate all these aspects of the countryside
which this particular area offers, one must visit Santoleo where
the shepherds take their sheep for grazing. Following through the old
trodden pathways and the road of this mountainous
territory, one arrives at the highest point of
Santoleo, where the visitor can enjoy the lunar atmosphere of the zone.
Following down an excavated winding road from Vignale, passing "fontana
del Canale", one arrives at Casale.
Here there are signs of old times.
There are perimetrical walls made of stone and earth. There is the
small Church of Saint Michele simple and modest, in full harmony
with the countryside that surrounds it.
In the antique locality of Casale there is an
abundance of olives, almonds, oak trees and traces of agricultural life
of past times that must have been very intense. Amongst all this nature
there is a threshing-floor, a primitive millstone,
excavated in a big block of sandstone. Maybe it were the Greeks who gave
the name Scifì to this fraction of Forza D'Agrò. The Greek term
"scifus" which has the meaning of cup "coppa vaso da bere"
(drinking cup), in fact the district has the shape of a basin. The
position of the small centre, halfway in the hillside permits the
residence to dedicate their time to agriculture with competence and
passion. The lands are kept in order and are cultivated and accessible.
Fruit and vegetables are grown and there are also vineyards.
As is supposed from the discoveries of
some ruins in Schifì that the temple of Agrò had once existed on the
right side of the river. However, the excavators have discovered the
remains of a farm of the Imperial-Roman period. |
