The town of Sant'Agata d'Esaro
(pop. 2556) is located on SS105 about 13 miles east
of Belvedere Marittimo. The route climbs to the
summit of Passo dello Scalone (2427 ft.) before
descending to the village which lays at the entrance
to the canyon which is the headwaters of the Esaro
River.
Photo Courtesy of Joe DeSousa
A post card showing
the main piazza of the village and the war memorial
monument on which are inscribed the names of the men
of the village who were killed in Italy's wars.
Photo Courtesy of Joe DeSousa
The old part of town.
This shows the narrowness of
the streets, which is very common among the Calabrese
towns.
Photo Courtesy of Joe DeSousa
The Church of San Francesco di Paola.
Photo Courtesy of Joe DeSousa
The festival of San Francesco di
Paola
The festival begins on Friday
evening with fireworks and Mass at a mission church
about 4 miles east of Sant'Agata. After the Mass,
the children's choir loads onto the back of a pickup
truck to lead a procession of cars back to Sant'Agata.
Children in traditional attire are a part of the
procession.
Photo Courtesy of Joe DeSousa
The statue of San
Francesco di Paola is taken from the church and carried
by the townspeople throughout the village. Families
help carry the statue past their own homes.
