Cinquefrondi
Cinquefrondi: a small Calabrian town
Welcome to Cinquefrondi, a small Calabrian town located in the province of Reggio Calabria. With its 6213 inhabitants, Cinquefrondi is situated on the border of the plain of Gioia Tauro, southwest of Catanzaro and northeast of Reggio Calabria at an altitude of 257 meters above sea level. Its territory falls within the Aspromonte National Park.
Origins of the name
The name Cinquefrondi may derive from the five towers that once surrounded the defensive fortification or from the five localities unified by Count Antonio Caracciolo around the end of the 14th century. In its Latin form, Templum Musarum, the city was called so because of the pagan temple dedicated to the Muses.
History
Foundation
The origins of Cinquefrondi are shrouded in legend. However, it is known that the city is located on the sites of sacred places of ancient Magna Graecia, including the temple of the Muses. With the advent of Christianity, the city assumed an increasingly important role and developed around the 4th century with the construction of a monastery of Basilian monks.
The monastery
The monastery dedicated to St. Philip of Argirò was abandoned in the 7th century, but continued to be used episodically until the earthquake of 1783 that destroyed it along with the city. Subsequently, the monastery was rebuilt on several occasions and passed to the Reformists in 1596.
Legends and stories
According to oral tradition, before the urban settlement, two pagan temples were built in Cinquefrondi, one dedicated to the Muses and the other perhaps to a mysterious cult. On the ruins of the temple of the Muses, the current church of SS. Rosario was then built.
What to see in Cinquefrondi
Cinquefrondi is a quiet and peaceful town that offers visitors the opportunity to experience an authentic Calabrian experience. The city is characterized by its narrow and winding streets, its historic buildings, and its ancient churches.
Among the most important attractions of Cinquefrondi are the Monastery of San Filippo and San Giacomo, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and the Church of San Giovanni Battista. The view from the surrounding hills is equally enchanting and allows you to admire the Aspromonte and the Tyrrhenian coast.
Historical notes
Cinquefrondi has a rich and complex history that has seen the city destroyed several times by earthquakes and conflicts. In 1783, the earthquake of southern Calabria reduced the city to ruins and caused the death of several thousand people. However, the city was rebuilt and developed again during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, Cinquefrondi is a picturesque Calabrian town that offers visitors the opportunity to discover the culture, history, and natural beauty of southern Italy.
