San Cipirello

History of the town San Cipirello was an area in the outskirts of

San Giuseppe Mortilli. The origin of the town, as an indipendent town, is connected to a natural disaster – on the 11th March, 1838, after a rainy winter, a frightening landslide destroyed more than half of the town San Giuseppe Mortilli. A royal decree on the 21st July , 1838, appointed that the survivors had to build their homes down the valley in the area of San Cipirello, about half a mile from San Giuseppe Mortilli.

There was a small church and 700 inhabitants lived in San Cipirello in 1841. Later on a town plan provided the town with 4 squares and fountains in the 4 corners of the main streets – cardo and decumano. It is possible to see even now some marks of the original town plan.

Cardo and Decumano, the main streets of the town.

San Cipirello Coat of Arms

CHURCH OF THE SAINT PATRON MARY VIRGIN

San Cipirello Townhall

The Secondary School «Giuseppe Caronia»

This is our school. It’s hospitable and well organized. We have the chance to attend courses in the afternoon and we are proud of our school.

the kindergarten

The Primary School

Jato Mount The town of San Cipirello is in the valley of Jato Mount. A

settlement on Jato Mount dates back the 10th – 9th century BC. In the 4th century BC, Ietas , the old name of the town, was under the Carthaginians, but towards the end of this century the town was rebuilt in accordance with the canons of Greek town planning and architecture. The people of Ietas handed themselves over to the Romans after the Carthaginians were driven out during the First Punic War (264-241 BC). By the first Imperial Age the apogee of the town was over. The Byzantine period is documented with coins. There are also sources of Muslims and Normans in the town. Then when in the first decades of the 13th century, the Muslims riots against the Swabian dynasty began , the town was totally destroyed by the troops of Frederick II in 1246 and the survivors were deported to Lucera in Apulia and from that moment the site was definitely abandoned.

Cariatide.The Museum

Findings at the museum

Jato Mount

Saint Mary Virgin Saint Mary Virgin

is the saint patron in San Cipirello.

She is celebrated on the 6th, 7th, 8th September.

The procession

There is a show of the town band and of the drummers during the celebration of Saint Mary Virgin.

St. Joseph’s Celebration

St. Joseph’s Celebration is on the 19th March – there are several altars with food for poor men.

Carnival Carnival is an event in San Cipirello – People

enjoy themselves a lot. There is a parade of floats and masks with music and dances.

Made by the class – II A