INTRODUCTION

The history of Mirto is full of events requiring a precise investigation to reconstruct the origin and the development, making use of the documents, finds and monuments at our disposal.
Mirto is located between two valleys on the Fitalia river; and in this place full of vegetation it is recognizable the persistent work of man. It is rare that the sensibility of man is not captured by the charm of this nature.
This feeling penetrates everyone coming to Mirto to discover its architectural and historical aspects.
Its territory spreads for 900 hectares and the population reaches 1200 people.
Its position, behind deep valleys, let us suppose that the original site existed in ancient times, for defending purposes.
The economy, strongly linked to the resources of the land, determined its evolution over the centuries.
In early times, fruit, flax and hemp, were probably cultivated there, as well as cattle breeding and silkworm-caterpillar were practiced.
Finally, Mirto was named from the characteristic myrtle plant, used for many purposes, and important resource for the economy of the place. The planting of orchards, olive tree, grapes, and mulberries for silkworm, determined a change in the original vegetation, due to deforestation.
The first historical note about Mirto dates back to1398 when King Martino " il giovane"(the young), yielded up his land to nobleman Angelotto de l'Archan. Under the empire of Carlo V, the signory of Mirto, after two previous passages, was acquired by the Family "Branciforte" and then it returned back to the" Filingeri" that in 1643 became princes of Mirto. The Filingeri stayed in Mirto In Summer time, and their house belongs today to the families Pirrotti and Crisci.