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21-414: It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy"). The modern city overlies the ancient one of which few traces remain. Agira stands on the site of the ancient Sicel city of Agyrion ( Ancient Greek : Ἀγύριον - Agyrion ), or Agyrium , and Agyrina , On the top of the mountain where the castle stands, excavations have brought to light buildings dated between

42-535: A civil war or a revolution. One's motto may be in any language, but Latin has been widely used, especially in the Western world . Latin has been very common for mottos in the Western World, but for nation states , their official national language is generally chosen. Examples of using other historical languages in motto language include: A canting motto is one that contains word play . For example,

63-591: Is twinned with: I Borghi pi%C3%B9 belli d%27Italia I Borghi più belli d'Italia ( Italian: [i ˈborɡi pju bˈbɛlli diˈtaːlja] ) is a non-profit private association of small Italian towns of strong historical and artistic interest, that was founded in March 2001 on the initiative of the Tourism Council of the National Association of Italian Municipalities, with

84-476: Is a backronym of the letters F.B.I. In heraldry , a motto is often found below the shield in a banderole in the compartment . This placement stems from the Middle Ages , in which the vast majority of nobles possessed a coat of arms complete with a motto. In the case of Scottish heraldry , it is mandated to appear above the crest and is called slogan (see: Slogan (heraldry) ). The word 'slogan'

105-620: Is an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm ( sluagh "army, host" + gairm "cry"). There are several notable slogans which are thought to originate from a battle or war cries . In heraldic literature, the terms 'rallying cry' respectively 'battle banner' are also common. Spanish coats of arms may display a motto in the bordure of the shield. In English heraldry , mottos are not granted with armorial bearings, and may be adopted and changed at will. In Scottish heraldry, mottos can only be changed by re-matriculation, with

126-594: The Erean Mountains , and the Mediterranean forest of the Vallone di Piano della Corte is scheduled to become another reserve. The area also contains sulphur springs. The town is a centre of agriculture: productions include cereals, almonds , olives, and grapes. The large areas of pasture also make possible the breeding of cattle, sheep, and horses. There is a railway station south of the town. Agira

147-522: The Latin muttum , 'mutter', by way of Italian motto , 'word' or 'sentence') is a sentence or phrase expressing a belief or purpose, or the general motivation or intention of an individual, family, social group , or organization. Mottos (or mottoes) are usually found predominantly in written form (unlike slogans , which may also be expressed orally), and may stem from long traditions of social foundations, or from significant events, such as

168-710: The Lord Lyon King of Arms . Although unusual in England, and perhaps outside English heraldic practice , there are some examples, such as in Belgium , of the particular appearance of the motto scroll and letters thereon being blazoned ; a prominent example is the obverse of the Great Seal of the United States (which is a coat of arms and follows heraldic conventions), the blazon for which specifies that

189-672: The Saracens near the river Salso . Agira is mentioned by Muhammad al-Idrisi by the name Shanta Fīlibb (i.e., Saint Philip of Agira ), written as شنت فيلب in the Arabic script. Agira passed through the hands of the Hohenstaufen , the Angevines and Aragonese , and in about 1400 it became state property of Sicily. Over the years the town has been influenced by Spanish and Jewish arrivals, both leaving their architectural mark,

210-778: The 4th c. BC it was ruled by tyrants , one of whom, Agyris, was the most powerful ruler in the centre of Sicily. He was a contemporary of Dionysius the Elder , and with him successfully resisted the Carthaginian forces led by Mago when they invaded the territory of Agyrium in 392 BC. Agira was not colonised by the Greeks until the Corinthian general Timoleon drove out the last tyrant in 339 BC, settled 10,000 Greeks, according to Diodorus Siculus, and erected various splendid buildings. In around 287 BC Phintias of Agrigentum conquered

231-467: The aim of preserving and maintaining villages of quality heritage. Its motto is Il fascino dell'Italia nascosta ("The charm of hidden Italy"). Founded to contribute to safeguarding, conserving and revitalizing small villages and municipalities, but sometimes even individual hamlets, which, being outside the main tourist circuits, they risk, despite their great value, being forgotten with consequent degradation, depopulation and abandonment. Initially

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252-421: The association meet the following requirements: integrity of the urban fabric, architectural harmony, livability of the village, artistic-historical quality of the public and private building heritage, services to the citizen as well as the payment of an annual membership fee. The association organizes initiatives within the villages, such as festivals, exhibitions, fetes , conferences and concerts that highlight

273-511: The best farmers." Under Roman control it underwent a decline like other Sicilian cities as a result of the misrule of Verres and the heavy taxation imposed on it. One of the only two Greek inscriptions from Agyrium marks the final resting-place of a "Diodorus the son of Apollonius." In 1063, it was taken by the Normans under Count Roger I of Sicily ( Ruggero in Italian ), who defeated

294-467: The city, but after he had shown himself a bloodthirsty murderer, Agyrion was the first city to revolt after which he changed his ways to a more humane rule. The Romans called it Agyrium . Cicero described it thus: "And first be briefed on the illustrious and faithful people of Agyrium. Agyrium is among the first as an honest city in Sicily, whose men were, before this commissioner came, rich and among

315-541: The cultural, historical, gastronomic and linguistic heritage, involving residents, schools, and local artists. The club promotes numerous initiatives on the international market. In 2016, the association signed a global agreement with ENIT , to promote tourism in the most beautiful villages in the world. In 2017, the club signed an agreement with Costa Cruises for the enhancement of some villages, which are offered to cruise passengers arriving in Italian ports aboard

336-477: The group included about a hundred villages, which subsequently grew up to 361 in 2023. In 2012, the Italian association was one of the founding members of the international association The Most Beautiful Villages in the World , a private organization that brings together various territorial associations promoting small inhabited centres of particular historical and landscape interest. The criteria for admission to

357-468: The latter a synagogue . The town has a number of notable churches: There is also an Arab–Byzantine castle, later rebuilt by the Hohenstaufen , of which two towers still stand. The Pozzillo artificial lake lies near the town in a eucalyptus wood, and provides a habitat for a large variety of birds, and a way-stage for migrators. Another reserve – the Riserva di Piano della Corte – has been created in

378-514: The motto of the Earl of Onslow is Festina lente (literally 'make haste slowly'), punningly interpreting 'on slow'. Similarly, the motto of the Burgh of Tayport , Te oportet alte ferri (It is incumbent on you to carry yourself high), is a cant on 'Tayport at auld Tay Ferry', also alluding to the local lighthouse. The motto of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation , Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity ,

399-538: The motto scroll is held in the beak of the bald eagle serving as the escutcheon's supporter . Ships and submarines in the Royal Navy (RN) each have a badge and motto, as do units of the Royal Air Force (RAF). In literature , a motto is a sentence, phrase, poem, or word; prefixed to an essay, chapter, novel, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter. It is a short, suggestive expression of

420-1349: The operator's ships. The regional subdivision of the villages members of the association is as follows: 31 in Marche and Umbria , 29 in Tuscany , 27 in Liguria , 26 in Abruzzo and Lombardy , 25 in Lazio , 24 in Sicily , 20 in Piedmont , 16 in Emilia-Romagna and Trentino-Alto Adige , 15 in Calabria , 14 in Apulia , 13 in Friuli-Venezia Giulia , 11 in Veneto and Campania , 9 in Sardinia and Basilicata , 4 in Molise and 3 in Aosta Valley . Motto A motto (derived from

441-457: The sixth and fourth centuries BC with the presence of polychrome plaster and remains of the mint for coins. Diodorus Siculus was born here and credits Heracles with the foundation of sacred precincts of Iolaus and of Geryon , and the creation of a nearby lake. In the mid-fifth century, Agyrium was the first Sicilian city to mint bronze coinage in the Greek fashion of Magna Graecia . In

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