Colosimi

Welcome to Colosimi, a mountain village in Calabria!

We warmly welcome you to Colosimi, a mountain village located in the Sila area of Calabria. The village has a population of 1,154 and is situated on the border with the province of Catanzaro.

Discover the physical geography

Colosimi is a mountainous area with an elevation ranging from 709 to 1,561 meters above sea level. The village is surrounded by chestnut forests and watercourses that are characterized by torrents. Most of the area is covered with forests. Additionally, its elevated position results in a continental climate with cold winters and cool summers.

Colosimi: a mountain municipality with history and traditions.

The origins of the name

The name Colosimi is thought to have derived from the Calabrian surname "Colosimo," which is common in the area. The name is connected to the Greek word "kalosmos," which means "fragrant."

The history of Colosimi

The Comune of Colosimi is composed of eleven small villages, including the capital, which saw their population increase starting from the 17th century. It is believed that until the first decades of the 1600s, Colosimi was only inhabited during the summer season, and the first permanent residents settled there due to several natural disasters in the 17th century, such as famines and earthquakes.

The history of Colosimi before administrative autonomy (1811) is associated with the political events of the University of the Kingdom of Scigliano, a government university. Until 1820, the Comune of Colosimi included the territories of Bianchi, which became autonomous in that year.

In 1813, one of the oldest Masonic lodges, the "Mamertini" lodge, was founded in Colosimi along with two other locations.

The society of Colosimi

Colosimi has experienced a decline in its population over the years, but the village attempts to maintain its identity through local traditions. Each village has its own parishes and religious festivals such as Madonna delle Grazie, Trinità, San Vito di Lucania, and Santa Barbara. All parishes are part of the Archdiocese of Cosenza-Bisignano. In particular, Carrano maintains its tradition of making bread with locally grown wheat and cooking it in a communal wood-fired oven, while Melilla, one of the villages, takes its name from the African city.

The culture of Colosimi

Colosimi has a strong cultural tradition aimed at a successful tourism future. The village presents itself as a natural and mountainous place, making it an ideal location for those who love hiking, cycling and nature. Colosimi has many accommodation facilities available to host tourists and show them all that the village has to offer. For example, tourists can walk in the surrounding forests and taste local products like "pancotto" and chocolate made by local producers.

Moreover, the Comune of Colosimi has great tourism potential thanks to its numerous local traditions. Religious festivals and food festivals are highly anticipated events by tourists and residents alike. For example, the festivals of Madonna delle Grazie and San Pietro are among the most significant events in the village.

Additionally, Colosimi has a tourism portal that collects all the necessary information on visiting the village. Tourists can book accommodation and consult the village map to organize their vacation better.

Conclusion

Colosimi is a mountain village located in the Sila area of Calabria, with a strong cultural tradition and many local events that attract tourists and residents. The village offers accommodation facilities and local products such as "pancotto" and chocolate that draw tourists. Moreover, the Comune has great tourism potential thanks to its elevated position and numerous activities that await within its forests. Don't miss the opportunity to visit Colosimi and discover the pleasure of living in the midst of nature.

Paola Santoro
Wrote by Paola Santoro
Updated Wednesday, Sep 21, 2022