Gioia Tauro
By admin | March 22, 2008
Gioia Tauro is a growing village by the sea in the province of Reggio Calabria. Gioia Tauro is located between Naples and Palermo, the next closest town is Palmi which is 7 Km due south. Palmi was “discovered” at the turn of the century by the English aristocracy and today is considered the “jewel” of the Costa Viola for its trendy shopping and sandy beaches. Gioia Tauro is located in the gulf of Gioia, (it holds the second largest port in Europe after Rotterdam). On a clear day, you can see Sicily and the Aeolian islands AKA Lipari Islands, from the Costa Viola. The Cittadella is the oldest part of Gioia Tauro where you can find St. Antonio’s Church and several baroque style buildings with beautiful portals; you can see the ruins of the necropolis in the “contrada Petra†(Petra’s Quarter) and the ruins of a roman villa. In Gioia Tauro Marina along the lungo mare is the century old Gaslini citrus plant.
Topics: Calabria | No Comments »
Cosenza
By admin | March 22, 2008
Cosenza (population 104,000), a provincial capital in Calabria, stands at the confluence of two rivers. The old town, overshadowed by its castle, descends to the River Crati, whereas the growing modern city lies to the north, beyond the Busento, on level ground. The historic city centre is crossed by the winding Corso Telesio.
“To call the town picturesque is to use an inadequate word,” wrote George Gissing in his 1901 travelogue, By The Ionian Sea. “At every step, from the opening of the main street at the hill-foot up to the stern medieval castle crowning its height, one marels and admires. So narrow are the ways that a cart drives the pedestrian into shop or alley; two vehicles (but perhaps the thing never happened) would with difficulty pass each other.”
Cosentia, the capital of the Bruttians, came under the influence of the Greek settlements of Magna Graecia. Taken by Rome in 204 BC, in imperial times it was an important stop on the Via Popilia, linking Rome with Reggio and Sicily. Alaric the Visigoth died here in AD 412 (probably Malaria) on his way back to Sicily after the sack of Rome. Legend holds that he was buried along with his treasurer in the bed of the Busento River, the waters having been diverted for the occasion and then restored to their natural channel. Twice destroyed by the Saracens, the town was conquered by Robert Guiscard, but it rebelled against the rule of his half-brother Roger, who managed to restore his authority only after a siege (1087). In the 13C, 14C and 15C the city shifted its loyalties several times in the struggle between the Aragonese and the Angevins, and Louis III of Anjou died here in 1434 while campaigning against the Aragonese.
A notable centre of humanistic culture in the 16C, Cosenza was the birth place of philosopher Bernardino Telesio (1509-88), whose ideas were instrumental in freeing scientific research from theological restrictions. The city contributed freely to the liberal movement in the 19C and participated in the uprisings of 1848 and 1860. It was damaged by earthquakes in 1783, 1854, 1870 and 1905, and frequently bombed in 1943. Today it is an important commercial and agricultural centre. The University of Calabria, Italy’s newest and most modern, lies on the outskirts to the north.
The town consists of an old quarter on the slopes of Pancrazio Hill on the right side of the Busento River, characterized by a picturesque warren of streets, and a modern area, built to a regular plan, on the other side.
The most important monuments include:
the Romanesque Duomo (Cathedral, 12th century), with Isabella d’Aragona’s fine tomb the church of S. Domenico (15th century with 18th century additions) the church of San Francesco di Paola (16th century, with later additions) the church and monastery of S. Francesco d’Assisi (13th-15th century) the Castle on the top of Pancrazio Hill, originally a 10th century construction
Topics: Calabria | 1 Comment »
Catanzaro
By admin | March 22, 2008
Catanzaro is the capital of the Province of Catanzaro and also of the region Calabria since 1970 (before then the region capital was Reggio Calabria ).
This town rises on a rock and is split into two parts by the steep Fiumarella valley, the two sections being connected by a huge concrete steel bridge (the Viadotto Morandi ), among the highest in Europe, built in 1960 to the design of architect Riccardo Morandi . The beach town Catanzaro Lido, located about 5 kilometers south, has a wide promenade and a harbor for small fishing and pleasure boats.
The old town was built over three hills (St. Trifone or St. Rocco Hill; Episcopate’s Hill; St. John’s Hill) in Byzantine times. Catanzaro was since the 11th century the lace capital of the world with a large silkworm breeding, it produced all the laces and linens used in the Vatican and supplied merchants that came from all over Europe to buy the silk in the port of Reggio Calabria soon before Pentecost day.
A devastating earthquake in 1783 wiped away churches, palaces and a large part of the population, and a second in 1832 completed the destruction of most ancient historical buildings.
Catanzaro is home of the Nobel prize winner prof. Renato Dulbecco and of the contemporary artist Mimmo Rotella, inventor of the Decollage .
Topics: Calabria | 1 Comment »
Amantea
By admin | March 22, 2008
Amantea ranks high on a list of Calabria’s prettiest towns. It is also one of the region’s most historically fascinating and most unique. However, long before the Romans and even the Greeks, Amantea has served as an important ground, as far as human history is concerned. Dozens of Bronze and Iron age art i facts have been located in and around the mouth of the river Savuto, which opens to the sea, nearby Amantea’s port. The Bruzi , Calabria’s native people, a tribe of warriors (still legendary throughout Calabria) are said to have kept out the Greek occupation for decades, hence the lack of Greek architecture in Amantea, unlike in almost every other Calabrese village. However, the Bruzi, were unable to hold off the Romans, who are said to have wiped the group and any lasting legacy. The Romans used 300 KM of land surrounding Amantea as an “Ager” - for the specific purpose of sending produce to use Imperial Rome. Not surprisingly, in order to transport the produce to its final destination, a large port was created, putting Amantea on the map in terms of important Roman ports of call. After the fall of the Roman Empire, present-day Calabria was divided into two parts: Longobardian and Byzantine. The border between these two new nations, became Amantea itself, controlled by the Byzantines, who built a strong castle to safeguard this border. The castle is still prominent on the hills above the town, looking at the coast in either direction. However, like the Roman’s, Byzantium was unable to maintain power over all its colonies, and in 839 Amantea fell to the Arabs, who created an Emirato , a state around the city. The city’s name “Amantea” is of Arabic origin, coming from “Al Mantiah, meaning “strong hold.” The Arabic presence here, has been strong and lasting (even if not constant).
In modern day Amantea, the city is essentially divided into two sections. The historical center, located on the hill above the “new” city, where shops, restaurants and piazzas line a main boulevard. It’s a friendly town and tourists should find no problem in finding their way around here.
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Mataponto
By admin | March 19, 2008
Metaponto was founded in the 7th century BC by Greek colonizers, - Pythagoras was born here. Later it was part of Carthago and later a roman city. From all periods yuo can find some remains in the Parco Archeologico and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale
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Melfi
By admin | March 19, 2008
Located in the north of Basilicate, Melvi is a medieval town set at the foot of Mount Vulture. It was a Longobard city in the early middle ages and later became the first Norman town in Italy .
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Matera
By admin | March 19, 2008
Matera is the city of the “Sassiâ€, the charming ancient districts, which are an example of a unique and complex urban structure and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Matera is also host to over 100 rock churches, a testimony of the Greek-Byzantine Monastic civilizations which held a significant influence.
It is the city of art and folklore, and is considered to be one of the most ancient settlements in the world due to it being continuously inhabited by man from the Palaeolithic.
The Sassi were inhabited until the 50-ies, now some of them are being turned into luxury apartments.
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Maratea
By admin | March 19, 2008
Maratea is the best Basilicata has to offer to travellers. There is an old historic centre, where you can wander trhough narrow streets and visit some splendid centruy-old churches, and there is a marina and some nice peaches.
The Old Town built on the slopes of Monte San Biagio. The buildings date to the 17th and 18th Centuries. The main sight is the Sta Maria Maggiore church in the center of the village. The port is the most lively area. It has shops, several cafés and some good restaurants. You can take an excursion by boat to visit some of the caves nearby. The best (rocky) beaches are found at Acquafredda (10 km north) and Marina di Maratea (5 km south) along the coastal road.
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L’Aquila
By admin | March 10, 2008
L’Aquila is the capital of the province of the same name in the region of Abruzzo in Italy and is located in the northern part of the province. It is a small, pleasant city that is surrounded by high mountains. The city was established by the German Emperor Frederick II in 1242. According to legend, Frederick gathered the population from 99 local villages into the one city. Each group of villagers in-turn created their own church, resulting in a city of 99 churches. Unfortunately, only a very few remain.
There are several attractions for travelers to visit. There are at least six churches to visit including the Duomo (the city’s main church), located on the Piazza del Duomo, and Santa Maria di Collemaggio (located outside the city walls), a Templar church with beautiful rose windows.. The final confrontation scene in the move Ladyhawke was filmed in this church.
Other places to see include the Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo, which is located in the sixteenth century Castello located in the northend of the city. The castle was designed by the Spanish architect “Don Pirro Aloisio Escriva” and is one of the most impressive castles in central Italy and possibly one of the earliest types of this type constructed. The Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo has several different sections including paintings, Roman finds, but its most famous feature is the skeleton of a mammoth that was found in the local area.
There is also a daily market that is held each day (except Sunday) in the Piazza del Doumo. There you can find a wide variety of goods including clothing on sale by small vendors. The market is open from 8AM-2PM.
Finally, there is the Fontana delle 99 Cannelle, which is located outside the western walls. The fountain has 99 fountains that represent the 99 churches that were originally in the city.
Besides the sites inside L’Aquila, there are many places to visit outside of the city including the churches of San Pelligrino and Santa Maria dell’Assunta in Bominaco, the medieval castle at Calascio, and the Gran Sasso National Park. In wintertime, Because of the nearby mountains there are several ski resorts throughout the region. Many of these skiers stay in L’Aquila which, could cause problems finding a hotel room in the winter season.
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Veneto
By admin | February 18, 2008
Veneto is a small province in the north of Italy but it houses some of the greatest sights in the world. Venice is of course one of them. Venice is Romance, and you cannot help being impressed by the sheer beauty of the canals, the small houses, the boats, the people.But do not limit your trip to Venice. Padua which has the oldest university of Europe, Verona the town of Romeo and Juliet and a very impressive Roman theatre, Asolo and Vicenza also merit a visit of several days.
In the west of Veneto the Lago di Garda is an ideal spot for holidays, close to the shores of the lake you find the Valpolicella area which produces some of Italy’s best wines.
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