Calabria: a journey into the roots - from history to traditions

The experience

If you are a curious traveler, in search of your roots or you want to discover the history of the places of your heart, where your ancestors grew up; if you want to know the charm of Calabria of the Oenotrians and Bruttii, of the Greeks and Byzantines, this itinerary makes you experience a story made up of encounters, surprising places and ancient gestures that continue to us.

In the Upper Ionian Cosentino you can live an experience made up of traditions, art, language and culture.

Let’s start with the queen of Magna Graecia cities: Sybaris. The uniqueness of its excavations and the echo of its luxuries and wealth, which have echoed in this area since the second half of the eighth century BC, accompany you on a very pleasant walk that culminates in a visit to the museum, which houses precious finds from the Greek and Roman periods. Sibari was also famous for being considered the capital of vice, so much so that even today the term “sybarite” is synonymous with idleness, lust and sensuality. We continue our journey among monasteries of the year 1000 and castles, such as the one dating back to Frederick II of Swabia, of Roseto Capo Spulico, a fascinating example of medieval art, enriched by its overlooking the sea and its breathtaking view.

Little by little you will be able to discover  Rossano la Byzantina,  home of St. Nilus, one of the most representative Italo-Greek saints of Byzantine monasticism, the Codex Purpureo, a manuscript of the sixth century, preserved in the Diocesan Museum of Rossano and the mysterious Santa Maria del Patire, also known as Pathirion, a Basilian monastic complex, from the Byzantine-Norman era. You will visit  the Castle of Corigliano, a splendid fortress, among the most well-preserved in southern Italy, a national monument since 1927. We will take you to discover the most authentic villages of the Ionian coast, such as Pietrapaola, Calopezzati, Cariati and Terravecchia, you will be able to appreciate the genuineness of these places, the goodness of a simple and tasty food that tastes of tradition and “home”.

Before leaving the territory of Corigliano-Rossano, you can delight yourself with Calabrian licorice, which has always been considered the best in the world for its qualities. 

Certainly in this taste of new Calabria you cannot miss  the Sila, with its colors and flavors, Lorica and Camigliatello, welcoming, verdant, inviting places, which make you experience moments of real pleasure, both to the eye and to the palate. The sweetness of Lake Cecita and the blue of Largo Arvo allow you to relax body and mind and inebriate yourself with peace and tranquility. You can delight your palate with cured meats, cheeses, mushrooms and I.G.P. potatoes typical of Sila.

Finally, in Santa Severina you  will travel through time and you will feel like you are retracing the paths of your ancestors. Suggestive corners that flow into the large and characteristic square, called Campo, the Norman castle that stands tall and majestic, the uniqueness of the ancient baptistery, make the “Stone Ship”, as Santa Severina is called, among the most beautiful villages in Italy!

This is our land, where everyone tells stories of the past, where the cycles of nature follow those of life and where the sense of infinite and deep roots bind us inextricably to our past. Dear traveler, this is the Calabria that we want to present to you in this itinerary: authentic, pure and genuine like few other places.