Belsito
Let's discover Belsito, a Calabrian gem
Hello everyone! Today I'm going to talk about Belsito, a town in the province of Cosenza in Calabria. Are you ready to learn more about this magnificent village?
History
The history of Belsito dates back to 1535, when Emperor Charles V was deeply impressed by its beauty and named it Belsito. However, originally the village was called Crapassito, which comes from the Hebrew Kapar-Ha-Sseeth, meaning "high village". Over the years, Belsito has been ruled by different dominations, but only in 1816 it gained autonomy under the Bourbon government. In 1928, the town was joined with Malito, and regained its independence in 1937.
Monuments and places of interest
The historical center of Belsito is a real jewel. Its little streets and alleys are characterized by stone walls and ancient houses. The parish church of San Giovanni Battista stands out, where you can admire a precious fresco of the preaching of St. John the Baptist, a baptismal font in stone from Altilia, some 17th-century carved wooden works, and an oil painting on canvas of the Madonna del Carmine. Moreover, the village also preserves a small historical and artistic heritage on the facades of the houses, with the crests of the ancient families who ruled the village. Don't miss out on the Provençal Palace, located in Piazza del Popolo.
Society
Demographic evolution
The population of Belsito is 877 inhabitants.
Traditions and folklore
Tradition has it that St. John the Baptist is celebrated three times a year: on February 12th to celebrate the alleged salvation of the village from a catastrophic earthquake, on June 23rd to commemorate the saint's birth with the traditional Fiera della Surda, and on the last Sunday of August to remember his death. On this last occasion, you can taste a typical culinary dish: eggplant meatballs. The solemn procession through the streets of the village also takes place on St. John's Sunday. But the history of Belsito dates back to the early Middle Ages, as shown by the necropolis found a few years ago in the district of Serre. Thanks to the work of university students and researchers, hundreds of graves and numerous skeletal remains and artifacts were identified.
Infrastructure and transport
The town is crossed by Provincial Road 245, which connects it to nearby cities.
Anthropical geography
Hamlets
Belsito also includes the hamlet of Chiusi, located 610 meters above sea level.
In conclusion, Belsito is a place worth visiting for its ancient history and artistic heritage. If you are looking for a quiet place to take a break from the hectic city life, this Calabrian village is definitely for you.
