Papasidero
Papasidero: a jewel of Calabria
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Papasidero, a town in the province of Cosenza with just over 600 inhabitants. Papasidero is a paradise for nature lovers, located within the Pollino National Park and with a territory ranging from 75 to 1463 meters above sea level.
The history of Papasidero
The name of the town derives from the Byzantine monk Papàs Isidoros, who was part of a Greek Orthodox monastery in the area. Some Calabrian historians hypothesize that Papasidero arose in the territory of the ancient Greek city of Skidros, one of the colonies of Sibari. The coat of arms and the flag of the town were granted by decree of the President of the Republic in 1978 and represent a starry rock and a white and blue split banner.
Monuments and places of interest
If you visit Papasidero, you cannot miss the sanctuary of Our Lady of Constantinople, built between the 17th and 18th centuries, and the archaeological site of the Romito Cave. The historic center, of medieval origin, is characterized by the San Costantino mother church and the Norman-Swabian castle. The medieval city walls still have some of the ancient entrance gates to the village, including that of the Guardia exchange.
Society and administration
The demographics of Papasidero are constantly changing and the town has seen several mayors since 1955 to the present day. The current mayor is Eng. Fiorenzo Conte, in office since 2010.
Rafting on the Lao river
At the foot of the hill on which Papasidero stands, flows the Lao river, a tributary of the Pollino. Along the river, several sports activities can be practiced, including the famous rafting.
If you appreciate nature, history and want to immerse yourself in the smells and flavors of Calabria, Papasidero is definitely a destination not to be missed.
Conclusions
Papasidero is a charming town in Calabria that deserves to be visited. You can stroll through the streets of the historic center, admire the natural beauty of the Pollino National Park, get excited with rafting on the Lao river and be enchanted by the sanctuary of Our Lady of Constantinople and the Romito Cave. I can't wait to visit Papasidero again!
