Falerna
Where is Falerna Located?
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about an Italian municipality, Falerna, located in the province of Catanzaro, in Calabria. The city has about 3,898 inhabitants and is characterized by its central location with respect to the Savuto valley to the north and the Sant'Eufemia plain to the south. In addition, the original nucleus of the town is located at 550 meters above sea level on the western slopes of Mount Mancuso, one of the major peaks of the Reventino mountain group. If you love the sea, then you will be happy to know that Falerna Marina, which is a beautiful tourist resort of the Tyrrhenian Sea in Catanzaro, is just a few kilometers away.
The Origin of the Name
The name Falerna is believed to derive from a wine produced by the ancient Romans with grapes cultivated here, and that wine was called Falerno, just like the town we know today. Isn't it fascinating to know that the name of a city has roots so far back in time?
The History of Falerna
For many years it was believed that the bubble of November 1606, taken up by Father Francesco Russo in the "Regesto Vaticano per la Calabria", was the first historical reference of the town of Falerna. However, a historian named Armido Cario has shown that it was a mistake of attribution and that the act concerned Feroleto Antico and not Falerna.
The oldest historical reference of Falerna dates back to the concorso pretale of 1616. This means that the settlement was born in the early seventeenth century and was populated by new people after the earthquake of 1638. This event struck Lametino and Valle del Savuto, destroying many towns, including Falerna. The D'Aquino family, feudal lord of the area, led the reconstruction work, building a new settlement in Falerna. The village developed rapidly thanks to the influx of shepherds and farmers from nearby towns such as Carito, Canne and Polpicello. Falerna first appeared in the "numerazione dei fuochi" of the southern provinces in 1648 with 32 fires, while in the same year Castiglione recorded 213 fires.
In the Registri per il "Relevio", Falerna appears for the first time in 1636 along with Conflenti, Castiglione, Serrastretta, Martirano, Motta Santa Lucia, Nicastro and Zangarona. Today, Falerna is a municipality proud of its unique history and culture.
Curiosities about Falerna
Do you know what "fire" means in the numeration of the southern provinces? Actually, it represents the number of family nuclei present in a particular town. At the time of the numeration, all inhabitants had to gather around the fire and the counting started from there. What is surprising about Falerna is that, despite the 32 fires recorded in 1648, the town has grown to become one of the most important in the area.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Falerna is a city that retains the charm of its ancient history and wine-making tradition. The city is located in a unique geographical position, in the heart of Calabria, and is a must-see destination for those who love beauty, culture, and good Italian cuisine. I hope my summary was helpful and gave you a better understanding of this southern gem. See you soon!
