Provincia di Catanzaro, Calabria, Italia
History
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to contribute to the History of Isca. Qualified Historians, who have spent countless hours researching and writing
about Isca have already documented and published wonderful printed material and books. Below is a brief historical
sketch of Isca.
The Origin of Isca
Isca is of Greek Origin and as legend states the original name of the town was Sanagasi. The original town was
located near the sea, probably about where Isca Marina is located today. Its been said that the original location was
abandoned, due to the incursions of outsiders. Sometime, probably during the 9th Century, the inhabitants moved to
higher ground, where present day Isca is today, perched between two mountains, with a wide clear view of the sea.
The high open view of the sea, offered protection for the people of Isca, giving them time to prepare for a possible
attack. The mountains that surround Isca on three sides, also made it difficult for outsiders to enter Isca from
anywhere except from the shoreline. With a warm summer climate, the area is known for growing lemons, oranges,
figs, chestnuts, grapes and beans. Did the name Isca come from the Greek word Ischon or from the Calabrian
Dialect? No one came say without doubt.
Bishop of Squillace Monsignor Mark Antonio Attaffi. The Mayor asked the Bishop for acknowledgement of the Relic
and positioning of the Relic to guard in the Altar. To hold Festivals for the Saint and the license to be able to expose
the Relic in every necessity and occurrence of the public. The Bishop approved the request and gave the Mayor
permission on August 11, 1726. A year later on August 30, 1727 the town administrators, the proxy and clergy did
underwrite obligation to San Marziale. The public did except Marziale as their Patron and for being their protector
from Plague, Hunger, Earthquakes and the Turks. Two hundred eighty years later, the people of Isca are forever
thankful to their protector San Marziale. They pay homage to their Saint, with religious festivities, every year in May,
to mark the anniversary of the Earthquake of 1947. The official Feast Day for San Marziale is in July, but the town
celebrates it in August, when most of the people come home to Isca for vacation, from the North and other places
throughout the world. The feast is celebrated every year in Isca communities in Philadelphia, Kulpmont
Pennsylvania, Toronto and Montreal Canada and Australia. San Marziale protects his faithful flock, wherever life
takes them..
February 5, 1783: A devastating Earthquake rocked Calabria, with 331 people perishing in a nearby town of
Borgia. Isca was spared of any loss of life. The churches of Isca were heavily damaged.
September 8, 1905: Isca had the good fortune of no loss of life. The epicenter was located near the Gulf of S.
Eufemia.
December 28, 1908: This historic earthquake killed 65,000 people Messina Sicily and 25,000 in the Province of
Reggio Calabria.
May 11, 1947: The Terremoto of '47 is still on the minds of many people today and from a standpoint of
destruction to property, is surely the most devastating earthquake in the towns history. Three hundred homes
were destroyed, as were the churches. Hundreds of families were left homeless. The most amazing part of the
story is only two people died in this earthquake, they were 73 year old Clementina Gallelli and 8 year old
Giuseppina Lucifero, daughter of Corrado. When you look at all of the homes that were totally destroyed and yet
only two people perished. Everyone knew their protector San Marziale, kept them safe from harms way. Another
amazing fact was that the earthquake struck at 8:30 am on a Sunday morning, just ten minutes after the Church
of San Nicola was filled with people for mass. The church was totally destroyed as the roof collapsed, had the
quake struck ten minutes early, surely everyone inside, would have perished. Many stories have been told about
this earthquake and San Marziale's intervention. One that comes to mind, came from a mother, that stated her
house wall, was about to collapse upon her children, when San Marziale miraculously appeared and held the
wall,until her children could run from harms way. Though it is not his feast month, every year in May, Isca honors
San Marziale, in remembrance of the historic day and to give thanks to their patron and protector San Marziale.
extension to Isca, that should be built on safer flat ground, near the beach. The name for the new community,
would be called Isca Marina. Nine centuries earlier, the area now known as Isca Marina, was the original town
location for the ancestors of Isca, until invasions of outsiders, forced the towns people, to higher ground. Now
many hundreds of descendants of the original town location have come home. While some homes were being
built in the late 1940's in the Marina, it wasn't until early 1950's did roads, sidewalks and town square be built. A
water supply was established in 1951. Electricity reached the town in 1953. The Elementary School was
completed for the scholastic year 1956/57. Functional public lighting was completed in 1958. In the years to
follow, Isca Marina would become a popular and beautiful vacation destination for Italian and Foreign travelers,
on summer holiday. Who could resist the beautiful beach and clear blue water of Isca Marina.
