Scordia

“Antonio Branciforte, a member of one of the most powerful Sicilian families. The Branciforte family originated from a certain Obizzo, Carlo Magno’s standard bearer. During a battle between the army of Carlo Magno and the Lombards, Obizzo was attacked by three enemies who wanted to tear his banner from him. The three cut off his hands, but Obizzo continued to hold the banner with his stumps until he was saved by the arrival of Carlo Magno's soldiers. Carlo Magno, proud and pleased with his behavior, rewarded him by giving him the city of Piacenza. From that moment on, the family would be called Branciforte - "Brachium Forte" (strong arm). The family coat was a lion (symbol of the city of Scordia) with a golden crown, holding the flag with three lilies to the left and two amputated legs to the right”.

In the lively town of Scordia, located at the foot of the northern slopes of the Iblei mountains, there are traces dating back to the Greek and Roman eras, although remains of a prehistoric settlement and an ancient Christian catacomb have been discovered on the hill. The area is rich in water and highly fertile, producing excellent citrus fruits, wine, and precious oil. Among the monuments are the Baroque Chiesa Madre dedicated to San Rocco and the Chiesa del Purgatorio. Also of interest are the Convento dei Minori Riformati with the attached Chiesa di Sant’Antonio and the Branciforte built in the 17th century. It was divided by papal bull into Scordia Sottana and Scordia Superiore, feud of Raimondo Moncada di Paternò and then of the Branciforte, which obtained the title of Prince of Scordia in 1628 and began to populate the fief. The centuries that followed are characterized by the continuous division of feudal properties, opposition between dominant families and peasant fights until the occupation of uncultivated lands after World War II.

www.sicilia.indettaglio.it | www.vivasicilia.com | www.comune.scordia.ct.it

The Scordia Hub is interested in the 'La Via dei Laghi' route, and it is the arrival point of the stage n° 1 coming from Lentini (20.8 km and 187 meters of difference in height). From Scordia (GATE in Piazza Umberto I), stage n° 2 starts to reach the POINT in Militello Val di Catania located at the Villa Comunale. Only 10 km but with 316 meters of difference in height.