HISTORY

Le Castella is a little inhabited town near Isola Capo Rizzuto. It is situated in a small peninsula that "closes" the Squillace Gulf.

The castle, that seems to rise from the sea, was built in the year 1521 by Andrea Carafa, even if it is thought that its origin is more ancient. In fact, it is believed that Annibal, during the second Punic war, built the tower of the castle in order to defend his legions from the Roman legions.
 

The fortification, then, was used as one of the most important defence point from the Turkish invasions. However, on the 29th of April 1536, the fortification couldn't resist to the attacks of the terrible Chereddin Barbarossa .

After seven days from the invasion, the Castle, where the population of the town took refuge, capitulated.

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THE ITINERARIO

Le Castella, where eight hundred inhabitants live, is considered one of the most stimulating tourist resorts of the region Calabria. Near Le Castella, there is Capo Colonna. The name of this place derives from the presence of an ancient column of the temple of Hera Lacinia. The temple is one of the most celebrated during the Greek age in Calabria. It is also a significant sign of the great Greeck past of Kroton (now Crotone).

There are many interesting villages near Le Castella. Such as the Byzantine Santa Severina, and Cirò characterized by small and ancient streets, underpasses and stairs.

  


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ART AND CULTURE

The inhabitans of Calabria are devoted to catholic religion. In fact, there are many religious festivity dedicates to saints.The pagan customs are also linked to the religious tradition that is characterised by several simbols.The festivity of Pita is an example.In Alessandria del carreto, where this festivity is celebrated ,a giant fir-tree is picked from the Woods and planted in the main sqare of the village.

It is adorned with sweets and presents.At the end of this day ,animated by music and religious procession.The supports of the fir-tree are removed so that is falls down to the ground spectacularly.In Cerchiara is celebrated another typical festivity: "la festa del peperoncino" (hot pepper festivity).The most beatiful plant is given a prize.further more, in Cerchiara it also celebrated the festivity of the emigrants.

It is dedicated to the calabresi workes who live abroad and who come back to their village for summer holidays.Thys festivity is charaterised by a torch-light procession and fireworks. In bruzzano zeffirio it is celebrated an ancient festivity called "festa dei massari" . It is narred that the farmers, worried about dryness, organised a religious procession holding the statue of the holy Virgin in order to make it rains. Since than this episode is remembered by religious processions games and music, eating potatoes and cappers.

THE HANDICRAFT IN CALABRIA

The handicraft in Calabria has never experienced remarkable technological changes through the centuries. The instrument used have always been the same: hand loom, chisel, small knife, lathe. Among the several types of handicraft, the most important is the ceramic. The main productive centre is Seminara. Important towns are also Squillace, Gerace, Bisignano, Badia di Nicotera di Belvedere, Roseto and many others.


Every place has its own peculiarity. The products made in Seminara are variegated with few shades. In Gerace the crafts are mainly unrefined, painted with red or blue shades. In Badia di Nicotera the crafts are painted with lucid varnish. Among the typical objects, there are masks, anthropomorphous bottles called "babbaluti", oil-lamps, jugs. The texture is another ancient art. In the past, this art was widespread everywhere in the region; today it is practiced only in the middle-northern part of Calabria.

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THE MARINE AREA OF "CAPO RIZZUTO"

The marine area of Capo Rizzuto is one of the most fascinating protected areas of the Mediterranean Sea, and its beauty is of immediate evidence: you will see at first the authentic and changing shades of the sky and of the sea, then the cliffs, the clay, and the sand from which the perfumes and the meanings of the past seem to come.


 

The brief stretch of coast is splendid and it offers a number of itineraries on the sea and under the sea. It is entrusted to our will to preserve it, to avoid that the negligence of present times leads to future irreparable damages.


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