Cropalati
The city of Cropalati and the origins of its name
Hello friends! Today I would like to talk to you about the municipality of Cropalati, located in the province of Cosenza, in Calabria, Italy. This beautiful town has a population of about 1056 inhabitants and is located 384 meters above sea level. Cropalati is located on the slopes of the Sila Greca and is nestled between the valleys of the Trionto River and the Coserie stream. The name of the town has Greek-Byzantine origins and is thought to derive from the expression "Kouropalàtes", which was the title of a Byzantine government official responsible for the governance of the country. Alternatively, it may have been named in honor of the Byzantine emperor Michael Curopalàtis.
The history of Cropalati
But now let's see what the history of Cropalati tells us! The first traces of civilization in this territory date back to the 7th century BC when the ancient cities of Magna Grecia, including Sibari and Crotone, were located on the site. Cropalati was then a transit territory but in 510 BC became the site of the epic battle between the forces of the two rival armies. The Crotonians won the battle against the Sybarites thanks to their inventiveness: they played the flute, which was the instrument to which the Sybarite horses were accustomed to dancing, so the horses scattered and the Crotonians prevailed. After the battle, Sibari was destroyed and the Crati River was diverted. According to some theories, some surviving Sybarites would have rebuilt their city on the nearby hills, giving rise to today's Cropalati.
Archaeological traces of the territory
The territory of Cropalati has been frequented over the centuries by numerous Italic peoples, particularly the Bruzi. Recently, important archaeological finds have been made confirming that Cropalati was inhabited already in prehistoric times. In addition, the territory was used as a fortified camp with the name of "Castrum Cropalatum", with the task of controlling transhumance on the Ionian-Sila road, on the Trionto River and the gold and silver mines in Longobucco. During the early Middle Ages, the village developed around the numerous tuff caves excavated by the monks.
The historic center of Cropalati
The historic center of Cropalati is beautiful! It is located where the ancient city of Sibari on Traente stood and is a very suggestive area, surrounded by walls and with numerous historic buildings. Many of the houses and streets in the center are built of local stone and in medieval style. In the historic center, there are also the ruins of a medieval castle, which was once the residence of the Norman lords. In addition, there are numerous churches and chapels, some of which date back to the twelfth century.
The cultural life of Cropalati
Despite its isolated location, Cropalati offers an intense cultural life. In August, for example, numerous cultural events take place, including a festival in honor of San Rocco, the patron saint of the country. There are also many food festivals, during which you can taste traditional Calabrian dishes such as stuffed peppers and blood sausage. I also recommend visiting the Civic Museum, where you can admire the archaeological finds discovered in the territory of Cropalati, including ancient tombs, coins, and ceramics.
The territory of Cropalati
But Cropalati is not only a beautiful historic center and a city full of history and culture! The surrounding territory is equally beautiful and noteworthy. It is worth taking a walk through the surrounding hills, where you can admire the view of the valleys and the forests of Sila. In the area, there are also numerous rivers and lakes, where you can swim or practice sport fishing. Finally, if you love nature and tranquility, I recommend visiting the National Park of Sila, one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Italy, where you can admire the flora and fauna of the region and go on long hikes along the trails.
In short, if you are looking for a tourist destination that offers not only natural beauty but also history and culture, you cannot miss Cropalati!
