The S. Lucia's history

     The origins of Santa Lucia del Mela, of the ancient Mankarru, are buried underneath the technological developments of today's society.
     Many Greek findings in the Floriportema river, the other stream that banks the town, and in the temple of Diana Facellina as well as two Roman tombs of the second century AD, attest to historical presence of the Greek-Roman settlement in this area.
     The historical peak of the Mankarru or Mankarruna, served as a strategic position and has been an important military garrison for all generations that followed.
     Surrounding the Greek walls the Byzantines built a small fortress later redesigned by the Arabs between 837 and 851.
     One the slope of hill the Muslims also raised a fortified mosque which was later transformed into a church of Saint Nicola in the late Middle ages. In this specific area, remembered by the name of the street, was the Lavacro of the Sacracens, which was a public place reserved for Muslim women to bathe.
     A lost tomb with faded inscriptions also was situated here.
     With the arrival of the Normans, Count Ruggero, carrying out the orders after the victorious defeat of the Arabs, commissioned the conruction of a church at the foot of the Castle and in honor of Martyr Saint Lucia.
     The name Muslim Mankarru name disappeared and was replaced with the Christian title. of Santa Lucia. In 1206, with the institution of the "prelatura Nullius" by Frederick II of Svevia who had chosen this site for a place of amusement and relaxation, the Ruggero temple became a Cathedral. Since then 65 Prelates followed as heads of the cathedral enriching our memorable city with magnificent churches and numerous works of art.
     The Prelate of Santa Lucia was given the honor to develop and build the offices of the Great Chaplain of the Kingdom and as such he had the right to sit in Parliament at the 11th place.
     Under Frederick II d'Aragona. the city was strengthened by a surrounded wall and the castle was reconstructed. With a silk industry and the exploitation of mining the silver caves flourished, the city was able to boast many noble families. Magnificent churches, buildings, fountains. ruins from the Middle Ages and Renaissance architecture make Santa Lucia del Mela make it a must for lovers of cultural tourism.
     (The name Mela was added after the unification of Italy.)
     The Arabian (837-851), Svevo (1228), Aragonese (1332) Castle has been a protagonist of the millennial history of the city.
     It provided safe comfort to Frederick II which allowed him to dedicate his time to hunting. This was his preferred entertainment which took place in the mountains and far from the interference of bishops in the near dioceses.
     In his Prelatura. he was able to carry out what was defined as the "cursed crusade." In the Castle are verses of the poetic Sicilian school suggesting that in the jail under the vain of the cylindrical tower, Pier delle Vigne had committed suicide.
     A street in his memory exists today. In the 6th century, abandoned and in decay, the Castle was surrendered by the owner, Mr. Morra, prince of Buccheri, to Mons. Impellizzeri Prelato provided the funding and efforts to restoring the Castle.
     The precarious triangular tower was taken down and the construction of the Sanctuary commenced. In 1674 the stupendous marmoreal statue of the Lady of the Snow of Antonello Gagini (1529) in the center of the a magnificent Baroque frame which came from a little rural church of Saint Joseph was placed in the Sanctuary. In 1695, the Seminar became a famous center of study that transferred from the Episcopal Building.
     Great masters and incredible scholars have crossed its history. It is remembered that the Lucien Abbot Anthony Scoppa, the Parisian ambassador of the Kingdom of the two Sicilies and Academia of France coming to Santa Lucia.
     The philosopher P. Galluppi studying in the Seminar and becoming a teacher of Dogmatic Theology. The local middle school is a marmoreal statue of Santa Michael Archangel attributed to the Calamech (1572) at the foot of the inside staircase.
     Inside the cylindrical tower, there is a precious library with "incunaboli" and volumes that date back from the year 500 to present day. From the belvedere of the Castle one can enjoy an enchanting view from Calavà to the Vatican Head of Calabria as well as the seven islands of the Eolian archipelago