Paludi
Cosenza Province: A Friendly Overview
If you want to discover a naturally breathtaking province, I recommend taking a trip to Cosenza Province. Located in Calabria, it is the largest in the region and the fifth largest in Italy. The province is comprised of 150 municipalities, each with their own distinctive charm.
Physical Geography
Territory
Cosenza Province is characterized by a prevalence of mountains and hills, but there are also flat areas with extraordinary stretches of coastline. There are three large man-made lakes in the Cosenza territory: Cecita-Mucone, Arvo and Ampollino, as well as many smaller ones. The longest river in Calabria is the Crati which crosses the valley of the same name, where the capital, Cosenza, is located, and the plain of Sibari before flowing into the Ionian Sea. The province overlooks both the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea and borders with Basilicata to the north and the provinces of Catanzaro and Crotone to the south.
Passes and Valleys
If you want to reach mountainous areas and valleys, here are some passes and valleys you could cross: Passo dello Scalone of Massiccio del Pollino, Valico Sierra del Fiego in Sila, Passo Crocetta in the Italian Coastal Chain and Passo dello Scalone in Monti di Orsomarso.
Mountains
Here are the main mountains located in Cosenza Province: Massiccio del Pollino, which reaches 2248 meters, the Italian Coastal Chain on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Orsomarso and the mountainous massif of Sila.
Tourist Attractions
There are many things to do and see in Cosenza Province. The territory offers numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, fishing and mountain biking.
If you love nature, a must-see is the Pollino National Park. The park, which extends between Calabria and Basilicata, represents one of the largest nature reserves in Europe and is the ideal place for hiking enthusiasts and those who want to enjoy unspoiled landscapes. Sila once again represents another nature reserve that you just can't miss.
If you are interested in history, you must visit the historic center of Cosenza. Here you can see the 1100 cathedral, the medieval Svevo Castle, the church of San Domenico and the Bilotti outdoor museum. Another historical attraction not to be missed is the archaeological site of Sibari.
If you want some relaxation, I recommend going to one of the seaside resorts such as Diamante, Praia a Mare or Scalea.
Main Cities
Cosenza
Cosenza, the capital of the province, is located on a hill and offers various places of interest. The historic center, known as "civita," is one of the most visited and famous areas. Here, in addition to the places mentioned earlier, you will also find Villa Vecchia, the Rendano Theater, the Civic Museum of Carlo V Castle, and the Civic Library.
Corigliano-Rossano
Born in 2017 after the referendum, Corigliano-Rossano is the largest city in Cosenza Province and Calabria. Its attractions include the Carafa Tower and the Municipal Park.
Altomonte
Altomonte, located in the Pollino National Park, is known for its medieval and Baroque architecture. The main attractions include the Church of San Francesco di Paola, the Norman Tower and Sanseverino-Falcone Palace.
Cuisine
Calabrian cuisine is one of the best in the country, and in Cosenza Province, you will find authentic and tasty flavors. The typical pasta is homemade pasta, which is hand-cut with durum wheat flour. Among the main dishes are maccheroni with meat ragù, grilled sausages, 'nduja and capuzzelle, plantare and scaloppine with Marsala. I cannot forget homemade bread and desserts such as ricotta cake, sfogliatella di San Martino, cannoli and cassata.
In short, Cosenza Province has a lot to offer for nature lovers, history, culture and especially good food. You just have to visit this magnificent land!
