Orsomarso
Orsomarso: a municipality immersed in nature
Hi everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Orsomarso, a municipality surrounded by the nature of the province of Cosenza, in Calabria. With its 1166 inhabitants, it is part of the Pollino National Park and owes its name to the Orsomarso mountain range, which constitutes its southwestern extension.
The beauty of the area
The Orsomarso mountainous region, with its highest peak (Cozzo del Pellegrino at 1987 meters above sea level), is adjacent to the Pollino Massif due to its similarities that attest to its uniqueness compared to other nearby mountains. An example is the presence of the Loricato Pine, which characterizes the rugged slopes of Montea with its exclusive presence in Italy and testifies to the ancient connection between southern Italy and the Balkans.
In the area, various fauna species can be encountered, such as wolves, otters, and golden eagles, and one can admire the purity of the waters of its streams, particularly the Argentino, and the difficulty of road connections between contiguous slopes, due to the steepness and roughness of the slopes themselves.
All these factors enhance the naturalness of the places, preserving ancient ecosystems from risks of profound alterations.
The history of Orsomarso
Orsomarso dates back to the Roman era when it was built as a fortress to defend the Roman outposts developed along the plain of the Lao river. However, it is not unlikely that the area was inhabited by scattered groups of prehistoric men. In 389, a hard battle took place in the Piano dei Morti area, with the defeat of the Turini by the Sibaritici.
Around the year 1000, the settlement became a Romanesque center with interesting commercial exchanges and then an important center for Basilian monasticism. The area was visited by important saints, including St. Nilo, St. Leone Luca, St. Saba, St. Primo, St. Fantino Il Giovane, and St. Macario, during the Saracen raids into the interior, precisely at the confluence of the rivers "Argentino" and "Porta La Terra".
During the struggles between Goths and Byzantines for the defense of the Basilian Monastic Abbeys, a fortress arose: one of its commanders was Ursus Martius (Orso Marso), from whom the name of the village that arose around the same fortress originated. The settlement developed not gradually but in small nuclei around monasteries or palaces. In the Middle Ages and in the following centuries, following the cultural recovery of Greco-Byzantine Monasticism, the land of Orsomarso had mixed fortunes.
Conclusions
In summary, Orsomarso is a municipality that offers a unique experience to visitors who love unspoiled nature. Its breathtaking landscapes and thousand-year history represent a perfect combination for those who want to spend time in a relaxing and suggestive environment. I hope that this text has aroused in you the desire to visit Orsomarso and discover in person all its hidden treasures. Have a good trip!
