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Welcome to the province of Cosenza!

Physical Geography

Territory

The province of Cosenza is a land of great beauty and variety, covering an area of 6,652 km². The territory is predominantly mountainous and hilly and faces both the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea to the east. However, there are also extensive stretches of coastline and a flat area in the Sibari Plain.

The most important mountains are Mount Pollino to the north, Orsomarso, and Sila. There are also numerous valleys, such as the Crati Valley and the Savuto Valley, as well as three large artificial lakes: Cecita-Mucone, Arvo, and Ampollino. The longest river in Calabria, the Crati, passes through the province of Cosenza before flowing into the Ionian Sea.

The province also has a vast coastline with numerous seaside resorts, such as the Gulf of Policastro to the northwest on the border with the Tyrrhenian Basilicata, and the Gulf of Corigliano to the northeast, which includes the coast of the Sibari plain up to the Ionian Basilicata border.

Discovering the province of Cosenza: mountains, sea, and culture!

Passes and Valleys

If you love mountains, we recommend visiting the major passes and valleys of the four mountain ranges in the provincial territory. These include the Scalone Pass (740 meters) on Mount Pollino, the Sierra del Fiego Pass (1,435 meters) in Sila, the Crocetta Pass (979 meters) on the Coastal Range, and the Scalone Pass (740 meters) in the Orsomarso Mountains.

Mountains

Are you ready to discover the main mountains that make this territory so fascinating? They are Mount Pollino (2,248 meters), the Coastal Range on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Orsomarso, and the Sila mountain range.

Municipalities

The province of Cosenza comprises 150 municipalities, making it the Calabrian province with the highest number of municipalities. The most populous municipality in the province is Corigliano-Rossano, born in 2017 after the referendum, with its 74,057 inhabitants.

Things to See

Art and Culture

The province of Cosenza is a land of great artistic and cultural traditions. The capital, Cosenza, is one of the oldest cities in Calabria and has preserved a large number of historical and artistic treasures, such as the Cathedral of Cosenza and the Swabian Castle.

Throughout the province, there are also numerous museums and archaeological sites, such as the Certosa di San Bruno and the Museum of the Archaeological Park of Sibari, which will take you on a journey into the history and culture of Calabria.

Nature

Nature lovers cannot miss the natural parks present in the province of Cosenza, such as the Pollino National Park, the largest natural park in Italy, and the Sila National Park, with its breathtaking landscapes and richness of flora and fauna.

Sea

If you are looking for some relaxation and a beautiful beach, the province of Cosenza offers numerous seaside resorts, such as Scalea, Praia a Mare, and Diamante, to name just a few.

Gastronomy and Typical Products

The cuisine of Cosenza is very rich and delicious, thanks to the numerous influences of the peoples who have inhabited this land over the centuries. Among the most famous typical products are nduja, a spicy salami mainly found in the area of Spilinga, and cruschi peppers, obtained from the dehydration of sweet peppers.

In addition, the province of Cosenza is also famous for its fine wines, such as Cirò Rosso and Donnici.

University

The province of Cosenza is home to the University of Calabria, located in Arcavacata di Rende. Founded in 1972, it has over 35,000 students and is characterized as an important center of excellence in education and research in Italy.

Conclusion

The province of Cosenza awaits you with its splendid mountains, the richness of its nature, and the history of its culture. Don't miss its characteristic municipalities, artistic treasures, and typical products of its delicious cuisine. Come and discover this wonderful land and be enchanted by its beauty.

Paola Santoro
Wrote by Paola Santoro
Updated Thursday, Dec 22, 2022