The $64 million question!

[tinacara]

One reason why I love this forum is that it's members put together have a wealth of information to offer! Have fun with this one!!

I live in the province of Reggio Calabria, near Scilla; mentioned in Homer's "Odyssey". Just before approaching this illustrious town you drive through "Santa Trada". It's shortened to S.Trada on the road signs.

My question is "Does Saint Trada really exist????" Anyone know a girl named Trada??

My theory, one which is not uncommon, is that S.Trada was actually STRADA on the blueprint and the engineers got it wrong!! (STRADA is "road" for learners of Italian who haven't come accross this word yet)

Can anyone confirm the actual existence of S.Trada. Please prove me wrong! Would love to know!

[Gala Placidia]

Interesting question! Certainly, I was unable to find a Saint Trada on the list of saints; however, in my search, I found this theory which I like very much: "Santa Triàda " or the Holy Trinity. Have a look at: Impero Romano d'Oriente 330-1453 la sua storia
I am sorry, but the theory about "STRADA" and the blueprint.... I do not think so. I have tried to find out when Santa Trada was founded and I cannot locate a date. Possibly it existed well before blueprints and even engineers.

[juliancoll]

Something in the back of my mind tells me Sant Trada has something to do with San Rocco Pellegrino (?) - could be wrong - probably am.

[alan h]

Found this - hope its helps

"The Altafiumara Castle was originally a Bourbon fortress, called the Santa Trada Fort, built at the end of the 18th century. It was mainly a military post built as a defence against sea raids, and, together with the Torre Cavallo Fort, it was used as a strategic point to control the Straits of Messina. In 1860 it was the scene of skirmishes between the Bourbons and Garibaldi's troops, which had landed at the mouth of the Santa Trada torrent."

[Gala Placidia]

Yes, Alan, the name of Santa Trada repeats itself for many different features, so it must be very old, this is what makes me lean towards the explanation of the Byzantine link with their name for the Holy Trinity, "Santa Triàda". After quite a few centuries it lost the "i" as it could have been considered a weak vowel because it was followed by an "à". These types of name changes have been quite common in the past.

[tinacara]

Great work guys! Thanks so much! It was one of those nagging questions I could never get the answer to!