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Cooosenz Cos e a, a Chu Church rch off Sa Sann Dome o nnicco
4
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he province of Cosenza stretches from the Tyrrhenian to the Ionian coast. The Pollino National Park and the Sila National Park with its lakes (Cecita, Arvo, AriamĂ cina and part of the Ampollino) are included in its territory. It is one of the widest provinces in Italy, with 155 communes, stretching for 6650 square kilometres (the 44,1% of the entire Calabrian territory). Its striking beauty is a result of its art, culture and nature and of its different itineraries and sceneries. The Tyrrhenian coast with its beaches, islets, resorts and caves, is very attractive. The Ionian coast is charming as well, with its blue sea, virgin shores, the ruins of the castles and pleasant artistic towns. The mountain hinterland of the province is even appealing; it is characterized by the colours of a nature rich in wild flora and fauna, by the taste of traditional gastronomy and by the beauty of the artistic handicraft. Cosenza, chief town of the homonymous province, was founded by the Bruzi tribe with the name of Cosentia and fought with Hannibal against the Romans, who conquered it in the year 204 B.C. It was dominated by different populations: tha Saracen invasions forced the inhabitants to take refuge on the surrounding mountains, thus abadoning the city, that rose again under the Normans, the Swabians and the Angevins (15th - 16th centuries). The architecture and the culture of this city are witnesses to these events.
ROCCA IMPERIALE
ROSETO CAPO SPULICO
MORMANNO CERCHIARA DI CALABRIA
MA
MORANO CALABRO
IO ON RJ
ALTOMONTE
MAR
C E TR A R O LONGOBUCCO
TIRR ENO FIUMEFREDDO BRUZIO
5
Vieew of of Alto Alto omon monte tee
ALTOMONTE It is a charming town in the province of Cosenza, set at the foot of Pollino National Park. It offers the visitor its old town centre, natural sceneries, elegant buildings, ancient churches testifying to its old attractive history. HISTORY The village boasts ancient origins: it was mentioned by Pliny the Elder with the name of Balbia, it was then named Bragallum, Brahalla or Brakalla (nouns of Saracen or Norman origin), it definitely became Altomonte in the year 1343 thanks to the Queen Joan I of Naples’s will. It was ruled by the Sangineto family and one of its illustrious members was Filippo Sangineto (Ruggiero I Sangineto’s son, Earl of Corogliano), who resided here and gave many works of art to the town, the so called “treasures of the Earl Filippo”. It was later ruled by the Sanseverino family, until the revolutionary feudal laws (1806). MUST SEES • Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione • Dominican Convent • Civic Museum • Church and Convent of San Francesco di Paola, with the 24 metres high bell-tower • Church of San Giacomo Apostolo • Norman Tower or “del Pallotta” • Sanseverino castle
EVENTS • Feast of San Francesco di Paola, (Saint patron) on the second Sunday in May. The statue of the Saint is carried on the shoulders by the faithfuls through the streets of the town. • Festival Euromediterraneo, an important cultural event of the town of Altomonte and Calabria in general.
Old to Old Ol townn cen ce tre tre,, a la l ne n
LOCAL PRODUCTS The most renowned goods are liqueurs, like “limoncello”, “fragolino”and “ginestrino”, red and white wines, olives, olive oil and “necklaces” of red peppers dried in the sun. TRADITIONAL DISHES • Altomonte cuisine is genuine and original and is characterized by a particular attention to the tradition and by the use of natural products. Among its most famous dishes, it is right to mention the mischiglja (a word meaning “mingled”), a soup prepared with spontaneous herbs; the maccarruni, homemade pasta; the rastatieddri and lagane e ceci (homemade pasta with chickpeas). Furthermore, the visitor can enjoy tasty “pitte con i scarafugli”, focaccias filled with pork scraps, tomatoes or elder flowers. The zafarani cruschi are peppers dried in the sun and fried in boling oil.
C rch Chu Ch ch h oof SS.. Ma M ria ia a ddeella del la C Coon Con onsol s azi sol a ione one n
ANCIENT JOBS • This town still preserves its love for local handicraft, with a good clay manufacturing and the production of wicker items, like baskets and hampers. The fine art of embroidery is developed as well. O d tto Old own w centre centtr cen tre re re
7
V w of Mo Vie Mora orano orano
MORANO CALABRO
Pol P ollyp ypt p ych ych by B yc B..Vivvar arinii ari
Nor N orrm maan - swa man sw waabian bbia ian cast asstle le
Old lld to town townn ce ccen e tree
12
The beauty of Morano lies in its delicate combination of art and natural beauty: a unique scenario is created by the stone of its archways, watch towers, buttresses and houses all embracing one another to match the majestic surrounding hills. The dense, intricate mesh of roads makes Morano one of the most charming and complete historic town centres in the whole of Calabria. The overall vision resembles a nativity scene, with its humble homes descending to the valley and its red tiled roofs and labyrinth of alleyways rising toward the Castle. HISTORY It is the old Muranum, named on a milestone discovered in Polla in the second century B.C. As the epigraph suggests, it was an old station of the old consular road Regio-Capuam (known as Popilia Annia). It is also referred to as Summuranum, a statio of the road network, in Antonino’s itinerary ( 3th - 4th centuries A.D.). In the Medieval Age it was a feud belonging to Apollonio Morano and afterwards to Antonello da Fuscaldo. Under the Aragonese reign, the estate passed to the Seanseverino family from Bisignano and finally to the Spinelli from Scalea. After the Unity of Italy, the king Vittorio Emanuele II added the adjective “Calabro”, in order to distinguish it from the homonymous towns.
MUST SEES • Church of St. Bernardino da Siena • Collegiata of Santa Maria Maddalena one of the most magnificent Baroque churches in Calabria. • Church of Santa Maria del Carmine • Capuchin Convent and ruins of Monastery of Colloreto • Norman – Swabian Castle (ruins). • Aristocratic palaces dating from 1700 and 1800. EVENTS • Feast of San Bernardino da Siena • Festa della bandiera (In May and June). • La notte dei musei allows to visit workshops, museum and shops until late in the night. LOCAL PRODUCTS • Podutcs deriving from the manufacturing of sheep’s milk, like pecorino cheese and ricotta. TRADITIONAL DISHES • Home-made pasta: cavateddri (gnocchi), rascateddri (maccheroni with sausage sauce), lagane (tagliolini) with beans or chickpeas. Among the speciality goods: stoccu and pateni, driedcod with potatoes and dried peppers. ANCIENT JOBS • The basket makers still make traditional baskets: they weave basket out of reeds in order to create the fisceddra, a cheese container.
V w of Vie of Moor orm rmann nno
MORMANNO The whole territory is included in the Pollino National Park. The houses of the old town centre are set on four hills. The oldest town centre, facing east, is Costa, on the Annunziata hill. Then: San Michele, westwards; Torretta, northward and San Rocco, southward. HISTORY The origin of Mormanno and the meaning of its toponym are shrouded in mystery. In some scholars’ opinion, its foundation can be dated back to the Longobard invasion of Calabria. They established many arimanni on the Costa hill overlooking the Valley of Lao northward and the Pantano southward, two places from which two main roads winded through the valley. The Longobard origin of Mormanno is confirmed by a hagiography by San Leoluca Corleone, in which the Blessed described the montium miromanorum where he spent twenty days and twenty nights, doing penance after a disagreement with his brothers. During the centuries the name of the town had the following evolution: it was referred to as terram Miromanum in the 12th century, as Muromanas in a Greek text of 1092, as Muromana in a dotal note of 1108, as Muromannas in 1195 and finally as Mormanno in a written document of Angevin chancery in july 1304. MUST SEES • Cathedral of St. Maria del Colle • Church of Our lady of The Annunciation (11th century).
• Church of St. Maria degli Angeli • Church of St. Apollonia • Church of Madonna del Suffragio • Church of St. Anna (18th century). • Church of Perpetuo Soccorso • Church of St. Francesco d’Assisi • Votive lighthouse, the lighthouse is a reference point for air navigation.
Old Ol O lldd ttoownn cen ceentre entre tree
EVENTS • Feast of St. Rocco (16th August). • Feast of St. Giuseppe and Festa del “u Cummitu” 19th March. • National Theatre Show (from April until May). • Carnival Parade (in February). • Festival of Bocconotto and Prodotti Dolciari, (in June). • Perciavutti Festival and Exhibition of Pollino handicrafts and typical products (in December). LOCAL PRODUCTS The Lenticchia (lentil) di Mormanno and the fagiolo Poverello bianco (a white bean) are old local kinds of legumes or ecotype. Cold meats, cheese like the felciata and wines are very good. The most popular sweet is the Bocconotto with marmelade.
Lanee in tthe Lan he old town town w cen e tre re
TRADITIONAL DISHES Beans and lentil soups, cod with potatoes. Homemade pasta like the cavateddri (gnocchi) and rascateddri (macaroni), flavoured in different ways. ANCIENT JOBS Cattle-breeding (ox, sheep and goat) is still practised.
Chu hu urchh of o S. Ma M ri ria de dell Coll ollee
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T
he province of Crotone stretches between the Ionian Sea and the Sila mountains, for 1.716 kmq (the 11% of Calabrian territory) and has 27 communes. The territory of the province is rich in wonderful historic and tourist resorts, like Cirò Marina, Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Le Castella and many others. The hinterland is rich in old town centres, many of which still preserve the old Medieval structure, with castles, towers and churches, like Santa Severina, Cotronei, Petilia Policastro and many others. The mountain territory in the province, part of the Sila National Park, counts tourist resorts among woods, rivers and lakes, among which lake Ampollino. The city of Crotone, chief town of the homonymous province, was founded by the Achaean settlers in 710 B.C. The ancient Kròton expanded its territory along the Calabrian coast, even conquering Sibari and founding the colonies of Scillezio and Caulonia. In the second half of the 6th century B.C. it gave hospitality to the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, whose cultural activity made Crotone the most important city of Magna Graecia. In 277 B.C. it was conquered by the Romans and was an important centre in the Middle Age; it became a Byzantine stronghold and a flourishing town under the Normans, who built its walls again and improved the harbour. Today it is a modern city, proud of its glorious past as a city of Magna Graecia.
CRUCOLI UMBRIATICO
SANTA SEVERINA
PETILIA POLICASTRO
JONIO
COTRONEI
STRONGOLI
MAR
CASTELSILANO
CIRÒ
ISOLA DI CAPO RIZZUTO
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View of Castelsilano
CASTELSILANO The village is set on the state road 107 Cosenza - Crotone and is the last outpost of the province of Crotone, before getting to San Giovanni in Fiore in the province of Cosenza. The town centre lies on a rocky ridge, on a kind of terrace (900 mt. above sea level), overlooking the valley of Neto and the Ionian Sea. Today this village is referred to as Terrazza della Provincia di Crotone (terrace of the province of Crotone). HISTORY Its origin can be dated back to a recent past. In 1685 Scipione Rota, prince of Acheronzia, decided to build a castle, where he could spend his summer days. The peasants and the farmers depending on the feudatories built their houses around this castle. For this reason the village was called Castrum Casini and afterwards Casino. Afterwards it was a hamlet of Cerenzia and followed its vicissitudes until 1806. In 1807 it passed under the rule of San Giovanni in Fiore. It became an independent commune with the name of Casino on 14th August 1811, with a decree by Gioacchino Murat. In 1916 it passed from the province of Cosenza to the province of Catanzaro. The name Casino was changed into Castelsilano in 1950, thanks to a decree of the President of the Italian Republic, Einaudi. Since 1994 it is part of the province of Crotone.
MUST SEES • Church of Santa Maria Immacolata • Small church of Madonna della Campagna • Small church of San Leonardo and Padre Pio • Castle that belonged to the prince Rota. • Arca di Noè (Noha’s ark), built by the sculptor Giovanni Girimonte. • Museum of peasant civilization
Chu Ch h rch chh M Maadon don do don o na del ella el la Cam C mpag paggna na
EVENTS • Feast of San Leonardo Abate (Saint patron), celebrated on November 6 th. • Feast of Madonna della Campagna celebrated on the second sunday of August. • La gara degli asini (donkey race) on the second Sunday in August. LOCAL PRODUCTS • Very good production of coldmeats, cheese, olive oil, that was awarded the DOP designation.
Mural Mur als lls
TRADITIONAL DISHES • The pasta china, baked pasta made with meatballs, hard-boiled eggs, salame and caciocavallo cheese. ANCIENT JOBS • Hand and loom manufactures. The art of goldsmith has a great importance, with the production of the Jennacca, a golden necklace made of many small beads.
Chu hurch hurch r off Maria Maria Ma i SS ia SS.. Imma mmacol colata col ata
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View of Santa Severina
SANTA SEVERINA It is an ancient Medieval village lying in the middle of the province of Crotone, between the Ionian Sea and the mountains of Sila in a wonderful hill landscape, with the river Neto flowing for 10 kilometres in its territory. The village is set on a rock at the centre of a huge valley and is shaped like a big stony ship. HISTORY Its name is related to Siberene, a town founded by the Enotri tribe. The archaeological finds prove that the site was inhabited since the age of Magna Graecia and during the Roman age, when the name was changed in Severiana. The present name is probably a Christian transformation of the old one and appeared during the 10th century. Until the 8th century it was a Byzantine possession, then in 840 AD it was conquered by the Saracens and it passes again under the control of Niceforo Foca. In 1073 it was conquered by Robert Guiscard after a two-year siege, who built the castle on the ruins of a preceeding Byzantine settlement. It passed under the rule of Nicola de Grimaldo (1118) and of Pietro Guiscardo, in a second time, and in 1402 it was a possession of the earl of Catanzaro, Niccolò Ruffo. From 1496 to 1599 it was a feud belonging to the Carafa family first and to the Ruffo family from Scilla in 1608. In 1691 it was a possession of the German family of Grutther, who kept it until 2 april 1806, when the Napoleonic government abolished feudality and made Santa Severina a district.
MUST SEES • Cathedral of Santa Anastasia • Baptistry 7th - 9th centuruies. • Church of S. Filomena o Pozzoleo • Church of the Addolorata • Church of S. Lucia or dell’Ospedale • Church of S. Maria e Sant’Anna • Church of Sant’Antonio • Church and Convent of St. Domenico • Norman Castle, housing the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Martial Architecture and many cultural events and ceremonies.
C rch Chu ch of Sa Santa nta ta Filom Fi Filom lo omeena na na
EVENTS • Feast of Santa Anastasia (Saint patron), celebrated on 29th October. • Feast of St. Antonio on 13th.June. • Feast of Madonna della Candelora, celebrated in February. • Primavera culturale e musicale di Santa Severina, between April and May. • Estate santa severinese LOCAL PRODUCTS • Olive oil, olives, DOC wine Melissa and IGT Val Di Neto, vegetables, cheese and delicious cold-meats.
Ca hed Cat hedral edral of Saanta n An nt Anast astasi as ast asia sia
TRADITIONAL DISHES • The typical dish is home-made pasta flavoured with different sauces and pork or goat meat. Among the sweets: The cuzzupe, the pitta cu passali and the turdilli. ANCIENT JOBS • The cultivation of olive groves and orange groves is widespread. The manufacture of wood, iron and the emboidery are still practiced.
Norman Nor an ca castl stlee
25
View of Strongoli
STRONGOLI
Marrina Mar Ma ina di di SSttro ronngol golii,, tow tow wer
Norrman man ca ma c stl te tl
Clo C l ch tow to er er
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This ancient village, heir of the old Petelia or Macalla, was a Greek and Bruttian centre and has the morphological and geographical features of the Crotonese towns. Its town centre has many Roman archaeological remains, like columns and marble altars and many typical Spanish buildings. HISTORY Strongoli is supposed to be the old Mecalla. According to Virgilio it is the small Petelia, founded by Filottete who built it on top of the cliff. After the battle of Cannae in 216 B.C. Petelia was faithful to Rome and was destroyed by Hannibal after an eleven month siege, who gave it to the Bruttii. Thanks to its faithfulness to Rome it became a Municipio and had the right to mint its own coin and received the title of Fidelis and for this reason it is still known as Fidelis Petelia. The town started to fluorish again after this event. Petelia was the modern Strongoli, whose name derives from the Greek word strongýlos (round shaped), referred to the elliptic shape of the acropolis of Petelia or from the Byzantine noun strongylòs, related to the shape of the stonghold (round shaped) built under Justinian in the 4th century A.D.. Afterwards the Normans built a magnificent castle on the remains of the ancient acropolis of Petelia and it was a strategic point inc Calabrian defensive system during the Medieval and the modern ages. MUST SEES • Church of Madonna della Sanità,
built in the 17th century. • Church of St. Maria delle Grazie • Church of San Pietro e Paolo • Palace, seat of the Townhall • Clock Tower • Norman Castle, restored and enlarged by the Sanseverino Princes during the 14th and 16th centuries. • Residenza castellata di Fasana • Piano della Battaglia, where the Romans fought against the Carthaginians in 208 B.C. EVENTS • Feast of Madonna delle Grazie (Saint Patron),celebrated on 15th August. • Feast of Madonna Vergadoro celebrated on the Assumption Day. • Feast of Sanità (in May). • Estate strongolese (in August). LOCAL PRODUCTS • Very good wines: DOC wine Melissa and IGT wines Lipuda and Val di Neto. Good olive oil and the variety “tonda di Strongoli” olives. The salsiccia di coretto is a very good suasage. TRADITIONAL DISHES • Pasta chjna flavoured with meat balls, hard-boiled eggs, sausage, caciocavallo cheese and meat sauce. Fried pipi (peppers) and green tomatoes with olives. The Cocolette, ricotta balls flavoured with tomato sauce. The pitta stuffed with salt sardines or with risimugghi (pork scratchings). The most popular sweets are the pitta ccu passali, the turdiddri, the Crustuli and the Cucceddatu. ANCIENT JOBS • Agriculture and wrought iron manufacture are practiced in the village.
T
he province of Catanzaro stretches between the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian coasts, in the narrowest strip of the “Boot”, for 2.391 kmq (the 15,9% of Calabrian territory). The province is made of 80 communes. The territory is the union of Sila mountains, hills and many areas sloping to the sea. Wonderful cliffs and long white beaches characterize the coast of the Gulf of Squillace. Both the Sila National Park and the Sila Piccola are part of this territory. The central position between the two seas gives the tourist the possibility to admire suggestive sunsets on the Tyrrhenian sea, with the Aeolian Islands and the green mountains on the background. The Medieval villages clinging to the mountains are wonderful and still preserve old customs and usages. Catanzaro, chief town of the province, was founded by the Byzantines at the beginning of the 10 th century, as a hill stronghold. In 1059 it was conquered by Robert Guiscard. Its strategic position has favoured commercial exchanges with the Italian regions and with the Oriental countries during the centuries. Art and jobs flourished here, especially silk manufacturing.
TAVERNA
NOCERA TERINESE
MAR
CROPANI
BORGIA
IO
CURINGA
R
SQUILLACE
MA
ENO
Golfo di Sant’Eufemia
JON
TIRR
TIRIOLO
PETRIZZI
BADOLATO
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Vie V ieew of of B Baado adoollatto
BADOLATO The village lies on a rocky spur between two deep valleys, connected in the coastal plain below. The rough landscape and the natural beauties can be admired by many view points on the road to the Serre tableland and to Brognaturo. HISTORY The foundation of the village can be dated back to the first half of the 10th century, when Robert Guiscard, Earl of Calabria, decided to build a “peaceful village”. Later on, the town became an Angevin possession and belonged to Filippo di Badolato, who stole it from Pietro Ruffo Earl of Catanzaro and whose descendants held it until 1454. It was in possession of the Toraldo family from Tropea until 1578. Afterwards it passed under the control of Pietro Borgia, Prince of Squillace, who gave it to Pier Francesco Ravaschieri in 1596; it finally belonged to the Pinelli family (1692-1779) and to the Pignatelli family from Belmonte (1779-1806). In 1799 Lettore Bonaventura from Badolato and the Capuchins denied freedom to the Republicans. The law of 1811 and the Bourbon law of 1816 made it a chief town of the district, including Isca, S. Caterina and Guardavalle. The earthquake of 1905 and the flood of 1951 forced the inhabitants to leave the town centre and move to the coast. MUST SEES • Church of Santissimo Salvatore • Church of Immacolata Concezione
• Church of San Domenico • Church of Santa Caterina • Church of San Nicola Vescovo di Mira • Church and Franciscan Convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli EVENTS • Feast of Sant’Andrea Avellino (On 10th and 11th November). • Holy Week with the traditional Cumprunta, the meeting between risen Christ and the Virgin Mary. • Badolato Borgo Festival: (In July and August), a film festival. • Sagra del pesce (on August 15th), a fish festival.
Ch rch Chu r h off S. S Ma Maria ria deegli An A ge gelii gel
LOCAL PRODUCTS • Homemade pasta prepared with hard wheat flour. Vegetables, meat (pork, goat and veal) and fish. Very good dairy products and citrus fruits. TRADITIONAL DISHES • Sweets are delicious, especially the cuzzupe, the pignolata and the confetti di giuggiulena. The real speciality goods are the mastazzola e vinicottu, doughnouts prepared with flour, must, cloves and cinnamon. ANCIENT JOBS • Hand loom is still used for the manufacturing of covers and wool and silk scarfs. The production of olive oil and wine are well developed. Good production of cereals and fruits. The sheep, ox and goat farm and the production of dairy products are developed.
Villam Vi Vil llam lam mP Pieetr trra Neraa
Chuurch of Im Immac mac m accola acola o ta ta Con Coonnce cezio cez ion one
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View of Petrizzi
PETRIZZI
Porta Por ta e Jusu Jusu
Ca Cat a hhe hed e ral all off Ma M ria r SS ri S. dell elllla Piet eetà
Old ld to ld ownn centre ccen en ntre ree
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It is an ancient village characterized by steps, lanes and narrow streets, recalling the charm of past years. The south gate, called porta e jusu, meaning “south of the village”, welcomes the visitor who is surprised by the beauty of this particular and typical Calabrian village. HISTORY The etymology of the noun Petrizzi is uncertain and probably derives from the Latin word petra, referring to the varieties of stones on the territory or to its geographic position, as the village seems to be placed on a big stone. The frequent Turkish invasions have influenced the history of this village. In 986 a large Turkish fleet stopped on the beach between the river Beltrame (flowing at the foot of the hill of Petrizzi) and Gerace, spreading death and destruction. As a consequence of that event, the population of the villages on the coast and the Basilian monks decided to abandon their houses and to take refuge on the safer hill, founding the present Petrizzi. The old village was indeed surrounded by defensive walls, of which just the porta marina still remains. With the foreign dominations (Normans and Angevins) the village was included in the county of Squillace and had many feuds. In 1494 it became independent, even so it was included among the lands belonging to the Principality of Squillace and given as a dowry to Alfonso II’s daughter, Sancia of Aragon, who had
to get married with Goffredo Borgia (Valentino and Lucrezia Borgia’s brother). Afterwards they were obliged to sell some of their possession, like Petrizzi, as they had financial problems. MUST SEES • Mother Church of Maria SS. della Pietra, built in 1796, where it is possible to admire the altar of Sant’Antonio and the High Altar. • Church of La Trinità (16th century). • Archaeological park of Roccelletta, few kilometres away from the junction to Petrizzi. EVENTS • Feast of Sant’Antonio di Padova (Saint Patron), celebrated on 13th June and on the second Sunday in August. • Penne all’arrabbiata festival (in August). • Spicanarda festival (in June), i.e. Lavander and Murinedda festival (sweet or salt pancakes), in September. LOCAL PRODUCTS • Aubergines in oil and squashed olives. TRADITIONAL DISHES • Pasta with beans or chickpeas, lamb and kid. The most popular sweet is the murinedda, sweet pancakes. ANCIENT JOBS • Once peasants were skilled in silkworms breeding, but unfortunately this activity disappeared with the passing of time.
Vie i w of Tave averna verna rna
TAVERNA The village is set on the slopes of Sila Piccola and includes the famous mountain resorts of Villaggio Mancuso and Villagio Racisi and the Sila National Park in its huge territory. SSta ta atue tue b by M Maattia tti tiia Pret retti
Church Chu rch h of Sa SSann D Dome om ome menic nico, nic o, de d ail det
Chhurch C Chu urch h of Sa San an D Do omeenicco ome
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HISTORY The history of Taverna is very fragmented. In the 15th century manuscript Chronica Trium Tabernarum, written by Ruggero Carbonello, deacon and canon of Catanzaro, regarding the history and origins of Taverna, the existence of the town of Trischene or Tre Taverne is mentioned. It was founded by the Greek settlers and refugees near the sea, between the cities of Crotone and Squillace, in the territory of the presesnt Uria, where there are remains of walls that could help discovering the ancient site. It was destroyed by Saracen raids and sacks; the survivors looked for a shelter in the hinterland after the invasion, gathering in the existing site about the 11th century. In this village of Sila there are many important works of art by Mattia Preti, the greatest Calabrian painter, who was born in Taverna on 14th February 1613 and designated a Knight of Malta in 1642. MUST SEES • Church of San Domenico, built about the 15th century. In its interior many of Mattia Preti’s works are jelously kept, among which: the Madonna del Carmelo, the Madonna degli Angioli, San Giovanni Battista and the Cristo fulminante. • Church of Santa Barbara
• Church of Santa Maria Maggiore (15th century). • Church of San Nicola belonging to 1400. • Church of Santa Caterina (15th century). • Church of St. Maria del Soccorso • Church of San Martino dating from ’400. • Town Museum of Taverna “Palazzo San Domenico”. • Open Air Contemporary Art Museum (in the squares and streets of the town centre). EVENTS • Feast of San Sebastiano (on 20th January). LOCAL PRODUCTS • Vegetables, cereals, olive oil, many mushrooms verieties. Very good coldmeats, like sopressata (subbressata), sausage, capocollo and seasoned and fresh cheese. TRADITIONAL DISHES • Mparrettati flavoured with pork meat sauce, tagghjarini e ciciari (homemade pasta with chickpeas), pasta chjna (rigatoni with meatballs, eggs, cheese and tomato sauce), pitta ’nchiusa (stuffed focaccia), patate e sozizzu alla frissura (potatoes and sausage cooked in the frying pan). Among the sweets we recommend: cuddrureddre (salt fried doughnuts) and the pitta ‘mpigliata (stuffed with walnuts and raisins). ANCIENT JOBS • There are many painters, sculptors, joiners and blacksmiths.
Viboo Vale Vib leennti nttia, a, nor orman man-sw wabi b an bian a cas asstle tl
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T
he province of Vibo Valentia has 50 communes and stretches for 1.139 square kilometres (the 7,6% of the Calabria territory), lying in the deep south, near the strait separating Calabria from Sicily. It is set between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the mountains of Sila Piccola. There are many charming resorts facing the sea, like Pizzo, Tropea, Capo Vaticano, Briatico, Zambrone, Parghelia and Nicotera. The blue sea is the protagonist, but even the hinterland has appealing spots, with the massif of Serre, thick woods of conifers, age-old trees of beech, crystal clear streams, huge valleys and luxuriant tablelands. Taking a glance at South it is even possible to see mount Etna in Sicily. The main attraction is the sea, but it is even a nice experience walking through churches, castles and towers or appreciating the local handicraft and tasting the enogastronomic products. Vibo Valentia (the ancient Hipponion), chief town of the homonymous province, was founded by the Greeks coming from Locri Epizefiri on a preexistent Italic settlement. It gained a great importance during the 5 th century B.C. and was able to defeat Locri itself in 442 B.C. It was then defeated and destroyed by Dioniso il Vecchio from Siracusa. It was built again in 379 B.C. by the Cartahginians and passed under the Greek and Bruttian rule until when in 192 B.C. it became a Roman colony. It was a Byzantine stronghold, destroyed by the Arabs during the 9 th and 10 th centuries and totaly rebuilt by the Swabians in 1325. Vibo Valentia still preserves the structure of the Medieval village in the old town centre, with its monumental tuff palaces. In the streets surrounding the town centre as a spider-web, architecture mixes with art, creating a wonderful atmosphere. The main road divides the city in two parts and climbs the hill, with the castle built by Roger II in the year 1000 dominating the town.
MAR
N E R TIR BRIATICO
O
FILADELFIA PIZZO
FRANCAVILLA ANGITOLA
TROPEA
SERRA SAN BRUNO NICOTERA
ARENA
FABRIZIA
41
Capo Vati Cap atican at ccan no
Pot Po Pot ootenz tenz en nnzoni oni ((V on VV), V) fe ffes esta stta de st dell’ ell lll’ ll’’In¿ In¿ ¿or orata ora ata
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View of Arena
ARENA A rural village on the Tyrrhenian side of the Serre, set on a hill at 496 metres above sea level along the torrent Marepotamo. It is a lovely village surrounded by chestnut and beech woods, rich in history and arts. HISTORY It was a municipium romanae and at the time of the Punic Wars it was a garrison with the name of Castrum Arenense. Roger II gave the Terrae Arenarum to his natural son Ruggero Culchebert. In the lands of Arena, given to Bruno di Colonia degli Hortenfaust by Ruggero I, the Certosa di Serra San Bruno was built. The feud was held by the Acquaviva di Aragona family and by the Earls of D’Atri and Caracciolo. It was an important centre for the production of silk and woods. It was known as Universitas under the Aragonese reign and governed a huge territory, stretching from the Ionian to the Tyrrhenian sea, of which it was the chief town. The old town centre is a museum. The lacking of building areas originated the first centre around the castle. For the will of Frederick II, a community of Jews settled in the picturesque “Via Giudecca”, in the lower side of the village, introducing the art of tanning and dyeing. The old town centre is a web of lanes and steps and stops in the highest part of the village, in the campanaro district, where there was a watch tower in the past. From every corner of the village it is possible to have a wonderful view and admire the strait of Messina, the coast of Paola and even the Aeolian Islands when the sky is clear.
MUST SEES • Castle (ruins) built during the Norman domination (11th century), it was rebuilt during the 14th - 15th centuries. • Curch of St. Maria De Latinis • Church of Maria SS. delle Grazie • Church of Madonna dell’Addolorata • Church of San Teodoro • Archivio Caracciolo (municipal). EVENTS • Feast of Maria SS. delle Grazie celebrated on the first Sunday of August. • Feast of San Michele Arcangelo on the first Sunday of September. • Affrontata on Easter Monday. • Feast of San Rocco (Saint patron), on the second Sunday of October. • Sagre in August: delle Zeppole, della Maccarruna (homemade pasta), delle Chiacchere, e di Nacatuli.
Norman Nor m ca man astlle
Ch Chu h rc rch off SS SS.. Mari ria ddell ellle Graz elle r iee
LOCAL PRODUCTS • Good production of cheese, olives, olive oil, vegetables and wine. TRADITIONAL DISHES • The Maccarruna, home-made pasta with beans or chickpeas flavoured with pork meat and wild boar sauce. Among the sweets: the zeppole, taralli, chiacchere nacatuli. ANCIENT JOBS • Agriculture, sheep farming, production of cheese and cold-meats.
Ch rchh of Ch Chu of SSS. Maria dellee Graz razie ie ie
43
1 Vie i w of Faab abr briziia br
FABRIZIA It is a village set in the Appenine mountains of “Serre Calabre”, lying on a inlet close to two mountain ranges, Mount Pecoraro eastwards and Mount Crocco westwards. It is surrounded by many torrents that eroded the large number of valleys around the inhabited centre. The small town is immersed in the green of vaste woods, contrasting with the blue of the Ionian Sea in the distance. HISTORY The small village was founded after the inhabitants of Castelvetere (Caulonia) and Roccella moved here. The name derives from Fabrizio Carafa, Marquis of Castelvetere, who built here his summer residence. The noble family wanted the building of the “Cappella del Rosario”. The violent earthquake of 1783 destroyed the inhabited centre. The village rose again thanks to the “Regie Ferriere” (weapons factory) built during the Bourbon reign and developed by the French. MUST SEES • Church of St. Antonio da Padova • Church of Carmine • Church of Rosario • Palaces in the village. EVENTS • Feast of Sant’Antonio (Saint patron), celebrated in June. Devotion is shown through the tridicina, the pilgrimage during the thirteeen days preceding the feast. During these days many rites are celebrated, like li
virginiadhi and li rachatiadhi. Li rachatiadhi: as soon as the pilgrim reaches the church main door, he kneels and si racha (he crawls) up to the statue, set at the foot of the altars, and he repeats this rite for thirteen times. Li virginiadhi is the rite through which the faithfuls thank St. Antonio for the grace received. It is celebrated with a banquet made of thirteen table-companions: unmarried girls (li virginiadhi) and two unmarried boys (li bambiniadhi). Thirteen different dishes are prepared and tasted by the table-companions. Lunch ends with the offer of a home-made cake, lu biscuattu, to the guests. The landlady offers this cake kneeling on the threshold of her house. • Feast of Madonna del Carmine in August. • Feast of Madonna del Rosario celebrated in September. • Zeppola Festival LOCAL PRODUCTS • Many vegetables, cold-meats and cheese. In the surrounding country the fragulara grape (variety of isabella) is cultivated. Delicious fragolino wine and liqueurs prepared with wild strawberries.
O to Old town wn cen c tr tre re
Chrch Chr ch h off S. S Mar M ia a del d le Gra de Grazie ziee
TRADITIONAL DISHES • Home-made pasta with porcini mushrooms or beans; potatoes and peppers fried in olive oil; porcini mushrooms with pig’s jawl. ANCIENT JOBS • In the village wood and iron handicrafts are still practiced.
Ch ch Chr h off S. Mar M ia de del eelllee Gra G zie
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View of Fran r cav avvill llla Angi g tola tol ola
FRANCAVILLA ANGITOLA Whoever approaches the village is enchanted by the landscape among the mountains of Serre Vibonesi, the Gulf of Sant’Eufemia, the lake Angitola and the remains of the Medieval town Rocca Niceforo. The territory is mainly hilly, with waste expanses of olive groves and vineyards. Next to the huge plain in the district of Sordo-Ziopà going through the Viale del Drago it is possible to reach a natural cave, that gives the name to the street and that recalls old myths and popular legends. HISTORY The village was probably founded during the 10th - 11th centuries by the populations escaped after the Saracen invasions who built many fortified towns in the hinterland. In the Middle Age the place called “Francavilla” (a town free from vassallage) was fortified by defensive walls. Due to earthquakes (in 1638 and 1783) there are no remains of the castle and of the defensive walls. Francavilla was and is still part of the Diocese of Mileto. This one became a diffusion centre for Roman Catholicism, replacing Eastern Orthodoxy. Francavilla had a strong connection with rites and saints belonging to Byzantine tradition, but many Churces and Convents were built after the diffusion of western monastic orders and of a renewed religious zeal. The village had the present name of Francavilla Angitola after the Unity of Italy on 26 March 1863.
MUST SEES • Museo dell’Emigrazione, named after Giovanni Battista Scalabrini. • Church of St. Foca (mother church). • Church of St. Maria delle Grazie • Church of St. Maria del Rosario • Borgo Pendina of Medieval origin, with many mansions, a barn (in local dialect Pagliarola), two oil mills and the Calvario Greco (Greek calvary) with five icons on the five crosses. • Convent of Santa Maria della Croce dei Padri Agostiniani (ruins). • Convento di San Francesco dei Padri Riformati (ruins).
Chu h rch c off SS. SSS S. Rosa os ri rioo
EVENTS • Feast of San Foca Martire, protector of the town, celebrated on the second Sunday of August. • Festa della Gente di Mare, in honour of St. Francesco di Paola, celebrated in July. • Estate francavillese in August. LOCAL PRODUCTS • Different kinds of vegetables, sheep and goat cheese, delicious cold-meats, among which the corata.
Cal allvario alvar var a io o Gre G co o
TRADITIONAL DISHES • The vajani (French beans), the filatiedj (home-made pasta) flavoured with goat meat sauce or with beans. The corata is very good (a sausage prepared with offal, lung and small pieces of pork meat). Vey good sweets, like the Sierpi ’e Santu Foca, a kind of biscuit shaped like a snake with some small coloured sugar pralines on top. ANCIENT JOBS • Manufacture of gold, wood, iron, ceramics, silk and food products are still practiced.
Chu h rc hu rch rch ch off Sa Santa Santa t Ma ta Maria arria i ddell lla Cr Croce ccee
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V w of Trop Vi Vie oppea
TROPEA This famous tourist resort lies on top of a natural terrace sheer to the sea, from which it is possible to admire the blue sea and the white beaches. This village is wrapped by a web of narrow streets running along old mansions, churches and craftmen’s workshop. HISTORY The village has very ancient origins, proved by the discovery of archaeological relics dating from the Iron Age and by ruins of Greek and Roman buildings. At the beginning of the Middle Age there was a peasant community that increased in number and importance with the passing of time. In the 7th century A.D. a Diocese was built here, whose story is connected to the story of Tropea. When these lands passed under the reign of Byzantium, the diocese passed under the Byzantine religious authority and was subjected to Greek rite. It was occupied by the Saracens and afterwards by the Normans, who brought it back under Roman jurisdiction. Afterwards the Aragonese declared it a Crown land. MUST SEES •Cathedral of Madonna di Romania dating from 15th century. •Church of Gesù •Church of San Demetrio •Monastery of Conventuali • Church of San Giuseppe •Church of Santissimo Rosario •Palaces: Fazzari, Toraldo, Adesi,
Braghò, Sant’Anna, Naso and Giffone. •Shrine of Santa Maria dell’Isola it is a church lying on a small island, surrounded by the sea and connected to land by a strip of sand. Next to the church there is a beautiful garden, rich in Mediterranean plants. EVENTS •Feast of Madonna della Romania (in March). • Feast of Madonna dell’Isola on 15th August, with a procession in the sea. • Fiera dell’Annunziata on 23th March. • Sagra del pesce azzurro e della cipolla rossa during summer.
SShr hhrine ne of Santa Santa taa Ma M ri ria ia dell’ ia dell’ ll Iso Isola a
LOCAL PRODUCTS • The famous onion of Tropea, delicious for its sweetness. Very good tuna and swordfish, fished here. TRADITIONAL DISHES • Delicious grilled tuna and swordfish. The red onion can be tasted uncooked or can be used to prepare a good marmelade. The fileja (home-made pasta) with pork meat sauce. Among the sweets: the gelatini, called lumini. Small round almpond paste biscuits filled with mostarda and iced. ANCIENT JOBS • Tourism is the main economical resource of the village. There is also excellent agriculture, with the production of the red onion of Tropea. Fishing and handicraft, loom weaving and artistic ceramics manufacture have an important role. There are skilled goldsmiths and artists manufacturing iron and wood.
Piiazza Pi Pia zza zz za E Ercol ole ol le
Cat athed at h ral of Ma M donna di Rom Romani aniaa
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Reggio Reg gio di Ca Calab la ria, Cathedral
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Vieew of Loocr View Vie ccri
1
LOCRI It is a village on the Calabrian Ionian coast, a modern centre with developed industrial and craftmade assets. In the past it was a Greek colony, showing the visitor its history through the remains of the ancient Locri Epizefiri. HISTORY The city originated in the 7th century B.C. with the arrival of the Locresi Ozolii (coming from the Corinth Canal) or Locresi Opunzii (coming from the Gulf of Euboea) at Capo Zefiro (the present Capo Bruzzato), who moved northward founding Locri Epizefiri;they exercised their own customs here, like the matriarchy and the Jerodulia (sacred prostitution). Locri is well known for its social organization and for the juridical text issued by Zaleuco, containing rules regulating the different ethnic groups of the town. The village was the birthplace of illustrious personalities: the poetess Nosside, who lived in the 3th century B.C. and wrote beautuiful verses; Timeo, judge and teacher of Plato; Senocrito, a musician and lyric poet, Eutimo, winner of the Olympic games for two times; Agesidamo, a boxer mentioned by Pindaro in the 10th and 11th “Olympian Odes”. It struggled against the cities of Reghion and Kroton. This last one was defeated by the Locresi in 530 B.C. in the legendary battle near the river Sagras (the present river Allaro). It was a Roman ally in 283 B.C. and was involved in the war against Pyrrhus, supporting both the rivals. For this reason Pyrrhus sacked it and even destroyed the famous temple of Persefone, as Livy narrates in his
work. At the time of the Second Punic War it was controlled by the Romans, except for the years between 216-205 B.C., when it was besieged by the Carthaginians lead by Hannibal, who was then expelled by Scipio Africanus. MUST SEES • Church of Santa Caterina (1843). • Church of San Biagio (1908). • National Museum, in the district Marasà, housing relics coming from 2 the archaeological site. • Tempio di Marasà and the whole archeaological area of the ancient Locri Epizephiri.
Te pio Tem Te pio di d M Maaras ara ras assà
EVENTS • Feast of the Immacolata, on the first Sunday in August and on 8th December. • Festa dei Sapori (in November). • Rassegna del teatro classico e il Festival di musica etnica (in August) classical theatre and ethnic music festivals performed in the “Tempio di Marasà”. LOCAL PRODUCTS • Very good cheese, sheep, ox and goat meat; hot cold-meats. In the areas near the sea, large cultivations of olive groves and citrus plantations.
Piinakes Pin ake k s
TRADITIONAL DISHES • Home-made pasta with goat-meat sauce or with pork meatballs; the stocco e patate (cod and potatoes), stuffed aubergines and anchovies. ANCIENT JOBS • Manufacture of ceramics is very important, as the production of pinakes, old oil lamps and amphoras with a head.
Monument to Nosside
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V w of Riacce Vie Vi
RIACE
Old ld d to ow wnn cen centree
Sh Shr hhrriine n oof SS SS. Cosm ossma e Da Damia amia miano no no
Church Chu rch rc h of of Sa annta tta Ma Maria ia As Assu sun unta a
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This village is famous for the discovery of the famous Bronzi, found in the seafloor in front of the town. The origins of the name can be traced back to Ryaki, a GreekByzantine diminutive noun, meaning “small stream”. HISTORY In this village there is a strong cult for the brothers Cosmas and Damian, who were born in Syria and were miracoulos doctors under the Emperor Diocletian. Since its foundation its economy has always been based on agriculture. Apart from some cruel episodes in 1648, Riace was never oppressed by the feudal system thanks to its silver and iron mines, that led central governament not to get control over it. On 16th August 1972 a Roman scuba diver, Stefano Mariottini, who was spending his holidays here, discovered two big bronze warriors on the seabed, at about 7/8 metres in depth and 300 metres away from the coast. It was one of the most important archaeological discoveries of recent times: two bronze statues dating back to the 5th century B.C. The Bronzi di Riace are today exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria. MUST SEES • Church of Spirito Santo • Shrine of San Nicola di Bari • Church of Santa Maria Assunta • Church of San Leonardo
• Shrine of SS. Cosma e Damiano • Church of Annunziata • Casamona Tower (ruins) at Riace Marina. EVENTS • Feast of Santi Cosma e Damiano (25th - 27th September), a folk feast. • Festa della ginestra (June- July), it is a kind of revisiting of the manufacture of the broom. • Festa Riac...cendi il Borgo (in August). Stands with products of local craftsmen, recalling ancient jobs. At sunset the games of folk tradition start; then there is the “sagra dei vermituri” (dormant snails), an ancient recipe prepared during feast days in Riace. As a conclusion, late in the night, there is the show of “ballo du camiddu” also known as “la danza del ciuccio”: it is the shape of a donkey filled with fireworks, under which a man dances following the rythm of drums and of tarantella. LOCAL PRODUCTS • Very good fish; delicious cold-meats and cheese. TRADITIONAL DISHES • The vermituri, small land snails, cooked in a terracotta pot. The zuppa di pesce, a soup prepared with different fishes and seaweeds. ANCIENT JOBS • Manufacture of ceramics, glass and textiles. Today covers, tapestries and carpets are still made with ancient looms. Broom is still used in the manufacture of textiles.
Vieew of Scilla
SCILLA
Chiana Ch nalea na alea a
Spa Spad padar dar da aa
C an Ch Chi ana nallea ea a, a la ane
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The village is divided in three districts: Marina Grande, San Giorgio and Chianalea, all of them connected to the rock with the magnificent castle. It is one of the most picturesque villages of Calabria and is shaped as a natural amphitheatre sloping to the bays of Marina Grande and Chianalea, a fishermen village. It is an important tourist resort of Costa Viola. Scilla is known as Eagle of the Tyrrhenian Sea, as it is shaped like an eaglet with outspread wings, whose central body is made up by the upper district of the village. HISTORY Scilla is the ancient Scyllaeum, whose history is linked to the legend. The Oppidum Scyllaeum, mentioned by Pliny the Elder, rose on the cape and gained a great importance with the passing of time. It was conquered by the Saracens in the 9th century and by the Normans in the 11th century; in 1255 Pietro Ruffo, who was at odds with Manfredi, fortified the castle; in 1282 it was a refuge for the ships of Charle I of Naples, after the unsuccessful attack to Messina. In the 17th century it became a rich town, thanks to Giovanna Ruffo, who wanted the building of the Mother Church and of other important buildings. The town was then conquered by Charles III of Spain. It was a flourishing period for Scilla, interrupted by the violent earthquake of 1783 that destroyed it making many victims. During the 19th century the town went through a golden period, thanks to its position on the Stretto.
MUST SEES • Castle (8th - 9th centuries). • Church of SS. Immacolata • Church of San Rocco • Church of S. Maria di Porto Salvo built in the 18th century. • Church of Spirito Santo (16th century). • Church of S. Giuseppe (16th century). EVENTS • Feast of San Rocco (on Saturday and Sunday after 16th August). • Feast of Madonna di Porto Salvo (on the Last Sunday in August). • Sagra del Pesce Spada a swordfish festival (in August). • Sagra della Spatola (in August). LOCAL PRODUCTS • Fish, especially swordfish, prepared in different ways. Very good wine, made with vintage zibibbo grape. In this area some rare lemons, called verdelli, are cultivated. TRADITIONAL DISHES • Swordfish prepared following traditional recipes: it can be baked, cooked in the pan or prepared with sauce. Paddlefish is widespread too. The most famous recipe is the tortiera di spatola, paddlefish baked in the traditional way. ANCIENT JOBS • Fishing and sworfish fishing are the main economical resources. Fishing is made since the end of the 60s with the Passerella, a boat equipped with a very tall mast, useful for sighting, and by a platform from where the harpoon is thrown.
Via Roma, 16 • 87052 Camigliatello Silano (CS) Italy tel. e fax +39 0984 578125 • cell. +39 335 6689611 www.newsila.it • ladea1@alice.it