Cropani
Discover Cropani: a bit of history and geography of the ancient Calabrian commune
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Cropani, an Italian commune located in the province of Catanzaro, in Calabria. Cropani is a small village of about 4,836 inhabitants, which boasts an ancient history dating back to Magna Graecia.
Physical geography
The territory of Cropani extends from the hills to the coastal area, with an altitude range of 704 meters above sea level. The hillside is characterized by dense Mediterranean vegetation and vast olive groves, while in the flat area is the fraction of Cropani Marina, which extends to the sea. Cropani Superiore, on the other hand, is the oldest inhabited center and hosts the municipal seat. The territory of Cropani is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, being classified in zone 2 (average seismicity) of the Italian seismic classification.
Climate
The climate of Cropani is typically Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers, and mild winters with rare temperatures below zero. Rainfall is quite high and the annual temperature variation is around 20 degrees Celsius. Cropani belongs to climatic zone C, with a solar heating equal to 1,264 Degree day.
Origin of the name
The name "Cropani" comes from the ancient Greek "kropos", which means "fertile land". This denomination recalls the presence of large extensions of fertile lands near the Crocchio river, which crosses the territory of Cropani.
History
The origin of Cropani is uncertain. However, scholars agree on the Byzantine era, around the 6th century, when Basilian monks settled in the area to defend themselves from foreign attacks. Over the centuries, Cropani suffered numerous invasions and destructions, especially during the Punic Wars and the Roman conquest. During the Middle Ages, Cropani came under Norman, Swabian and Aragonese domination. In the 15th century, Cropani became a feud belonging to the De Caro family, who held it until the end of the 18th century.
Over the centuries, Cropani has seen the birth of great personalities, among whom stands out Giovanni Fiore da Cropani, one of the greatest historians of the 17th century. In 1622, Giovanni Fiore was born in Cropani, where he spent much of his life dedicating himself to research and writing.
In conclusion, Cropani is an ancient Calabrian commune, with a diverse territory and a millennial history. Visiting it is a unique experience, made of culture, landscape and local flavors.
