Petronà
The Province of Catanzaro: A Territory to Discover
The province of Catanzaro, located in the Calabria region, is one of the Italian provinces characterized by the beauty of its territory and its often thousand-year-old history, reflecting the culture and traditions of one of the most fascinating Italian regions.
Physical Geography
The provincial territory covers an area of 2,391 km² and is bordered by the wide Gulf of Squillace to the west, the Sila mountains to the north, the Ionian Sea to the east and the Calabrian Serre to the south. The landscape is characterized by the so-called isthmus of Catanzaro, which connects the two coasts from the Gulf of Squillace to the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia with an elongated valley of about 30 km. Located in the narrowest point of the entire Italian peninsula, the province of Catanzaro offers on some particularly clear days views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ionian Sea, the Aeolian Islands and even the peak of Mount Etna.
Hydrography
The province of Catanzaro is rich in watercourses, including the Savuto River, which flows in the Sila Piccola area, the Corace River, which crosses the same Sila Piccola, the Alessi and Pesipe, located in the Preserre area, and the Simeri, which flows in the Sila Piccola. There are also some lakes, such as Ampollino and Passante.
The History of Catanzaro
The province of Catanzaro has a long history dating back to ancient times. This territory was inhabited by the Vituli population, who worshiped the calf as a deity. Over time, the territory passed under the control of various civilizations, including that of the Romans, who left several testimonies, including some stretches of ancient roads.
In the Early Middle Ages, the province of Catanzaro became part of the Byzantine Empire and was given to the Catholics. In the thirteenth century, it was dominated by the Normans, under the leadership of Robert Guiscard, who made it an important religious and economic center.
Over the centuries, the province of Catanzaro has been the scene of a series of events that have made it one of Italy's most important regions. For example, in the fifteenth century, some famous artists were born here, like Pero di Messina. In the seventeenth century, the city of Catanzaro became an important center of silk trade, which represented one of the city's main sources of income.
The Culture and Traditions of Catanzaro
The province of Catanzaro is one of the Italian provinces characterized by a very strong culture and traditions. The province boasts a long tradition of craftsmanship, known all over the world, especially for the production of lace.
Moreover, in this province, the Catholic religion plays a very important role, with numerous churches and sanctuaries that testify to the deep devotion of the population. In particular, devotion to the patron saints of the various cities and towns in the province is very strong.
Tourism in the Province of Catanzaro
The province of Catanzaro is a highly appreciated tourist destination, both for its natural beauties and its artistic and cultural attractions. Among the most famous attractions of the province, there is the Devil's Bridge, located in the heart of the historic center of Civita, and the Roman Villa of Catanzaro, which represents one of the best examples of Roman architecture.
Moreover, the province of Catanzaro is characterized by numerous cultural events, which take place throughout the year, such as the patron saint festival of San Francesco di Paola in Paola, the Carnival festival in Pizzo and the festival of Saints Peter and Paul in Catanzaro.
Conclusions
The province of Catanzaro is one of the most fascinating Italian provinces, characterized by the beauty of its territory and its rich thousand-year-old history. With a wide choice of tourist attractions, cultural events and local traditions, this province represents an ideal destination for all those who want to immerse themselves in the culture and nature of Calabria.
