Martirano Lombardo
A charming place in the mountains of Calabria
Martirano Lombardo is a small town in the province of Catanzaro, in the region of Calabria. This charming and peaceful place is located on the slopes of Mount Molinara, in the heart of the Serre Regional Natural Park, just a few steps from the Savuto River. The town is situated at an altitude of between 500 and 600 metres above sea level, and the difference in altitude throughout the municipality is a whopping 1,182 metres.
A new beginning for the population of Martirano
The history of Martirano Lombardo is linked to Martirano Antico, an ancient city that was once the Diocese of Martirano and is believed to correspond to the ancient Mamertum. In 1905, Calabria was struck by the Calabrian Earthquake, which caused serious damage and the death of 17 people in Martirano. With the help of the Milanese Relief Committee, chaired by the Mayor of Milan, Ettore Ponti, it was decided to build a new urban centre to accommodate the survivors. The new settlement was inaugurated in 1907 a few kilometres away from the old town centre, precisely in the location of Piano delle Sorbe. In this way, Martirano Nuovo was born, a residential centre equipped with a regular urban plan, safe and welcoming homes to accommodate 206 families, as well as a nursery school and a small hospital financed by the citizens of Busto Arsizio.
A symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing town
The design of the new residential centre of Martirano Lombardo, the work of the Milanese engineers Mario Fiazza, Augusto Broggi and Cesare Nava, envisaged the implementation of a rational urban plan that would minimize seismic risk in an aesthetically pleasing urban context. The town is arranged along symmetrical lines, each residential building has a garden and is placed at a safe distance from neighbouring homes. The houses, reinforced by wooden frames and iron chains, represent an example of Italian Rationalist architecture of the 20th century. Every detail, from the facades to the windows, is carefully designed to create a harmonious environment.
A Mediterranean climate and a territory covered by woods
Martirano Lombardo has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild and humid winters and hot and dry summers. The average annual temperature is around 15°C, and the average annual rainfall is 1,841 mm. The municipal area is mainly composed of hills and mountains, covered by woods of beech, chestnut, oak and other indigenous tree species. The residential centre blends perfectly with the surrounding environment thanks to the presence of numerous gardens and avenues.
A place of peace and tradition
Martirano Lombardo is a place of peace and tranquillity, ideal for those seeking an escape from the stress of the city. The community is welcoming and open, proudly connected to its own traditions. The parish church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, located at an altitude of 543 metres above sea level, is a very important place of worship for the local population. Every year, on June 24th, the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated, a highly emotional festivity. Furthermore, during the most important festival of the town, the Porcini Mushroom Fair, which takes place in September, you can taste local culinary specialties.
In conclusion, Martirano Lombardo is a small gem set among the mountains of Calabria, a place where nature and humans coexist harmoniously. The symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing town designed by the Milanese engineers Fiazza, Broggi and Nava during the early 1900s has become a symbol of reconstruction and renewal for the community of Martirano Lombardo, and represents an important testimony to the history and local culture.
