Montepaone

Welcome to the Province of Catanzaro!

Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about the Province of Catanzaro, a beautiful region located in Calabria, Italy. The province has a population of 340,679 inhabitants and its capital is Catanzaro. It is surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea, the province of Cosenza, the province of Crotone, the Ionian Sea, the province of Reggio Calabria and the province of Vibo Valentia. Are you ready to discover more about this land?

Discover the Province of Catanzaro: history, culture, and traditions.

Physical Geography

Territory

The Province of Catanzaro occupies 15.9% of the regional territory and is located in the center of Calabria. Its central part is formed by the isthmus of Catanzaro, a narrow valley of about 30 km that connects the two coasts from the Gulf of Squillace to the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia and is the narrowest point of the entire Italian peninsula. And if you look carefully, on particularly clear days, you could see both the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ionian Sea, the Aeolian Islands and even the summit of Mount Etna.

Hydrography

There are many waterways in the Province of Catanzaro. Among the main ones are the Alessi, Alli, Amato, Ancinale, Beltrame, Corace, Crocchio, Fiumarella, Pesipe, Savuto and Simeri rivers. In addition, there are also two important lakes, Lake Ampollino and Lake Passante.

History

The current territory of the Province of Catanzaro was formerly inhabited by the Vituli, a population that worshipped the calf’s simulacrum. But over the centuries, the Province of Catanzaro has undergone many transformations. The territory was part of Calabria Ulteriore Seconda, a province of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies that also included the territories of the provinces of Vibo Valentia and Crotone. In addition, the coats of arms of the Province of Catanzaro correspond to the coat of arms of the Province of Calabria Ultra, established in the Norman-Swabian age.

Monuments and Places of Interest

The Province of Catanzaro has many monuments and places of interest that are worth visiting. One of the main attractions is the Norman Castle of Lamezia Terme, built in the 10th century to protect the territory from barbarian invasions. The Abbey of Santa Maria di Corazzo, built in the 12th century, is an impressive religious structure located at 700 meters above sea level. The Province of Catanzaro also has many interesting museums, such as the Civic Museum of Catanzaro, which houses a vast collection of archaeological artifacts from the ancient city of Scolacium and the Archaeological Museum of Soverato, which presents a reconstruction of life about 2,500 years ago.

Culture and Traditions

The Province of Catanzaro is rich in culture and traditions. Every year, many festivals and fairs take place, including the Sagra della Nduja in Spilinga, which celebrates a typical local salami, and the Carnival of Montepaone, characterized by traditional costumes and music. In addition, the Province of Catanzaro has a strong culinary tradition, with delicious dishes such as 'nduja, Calabrian sausage, pork fillet with onions, pasta alla Norma, and many others.

Economy

The economy of the Province of Catanzaro is mainly based on agriculture, with the cultivation of olives, grapes, citrus fruits, and vegetables. In addition, there is a strong presence of industries, most of which are located in the industrial area of Catanzaro. The Province of Catanzaro is also famous for the production of typical products such as 'nduja, wine, and olive oil.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the Province of Catanzaro is a very interesting and fascinating region, with many things to discover. From breathtaking landscapes to culinary traditions, passing through the great historical and cultural wealth, this province will never cease to amaze you. Come to visit us and let yourself be amazed by all that the Province of Catanzaro has to offer!

Laura De Luca
Wrote by Laura De Luca
Updated Friday, Mar 11, 2022