Rovito
Discovering Rovito: a town with an important history
If you are looking for an authentic place, surrounded by nature and with an important history, Rovito could be the perfect destination for you. This town in Calabria, located in the province of Cosenza, has a little over 3,000 inhabitants and is situated on the hills of the Presila area, easily accessible from the highway that connects the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas.
The beauty of Rovito and its historical importance
Rovito is not only a beautiful town from a naturalistic point of view, where you can enjoy suggestive landscapes and a varied and fascinating flora and fauna. This town is also the place where an important part of the history of the Unification of Italy took place. In fact, in the Vallone di Rovito, many Calabrian patriots died, such as Pietro Villaci, Antonio Raho and many others, involved in the uprisings in Cosenza on March 15, 1844.
Furthermore, in July of the same year, the town was also the scene of the Bandiera Expedition, a group of Italian patriots from the Mazzinian movement, who, along with 21 others, wanted to provide assistance to the uprisings in Cosenza.
The hamlets of Rovito to explore
In addition to the center of Rovito, there are many hamlets around the town to discover. Pianette, for example, is located at an altitude of 573 m above sea level, while Motta is at 679 m above sea level and Flavetto is at 671 m above sea level. There are also hamlets such as Bosco, Cavallo Morto, Episcopani and Rianico, where precious naturalistic and architectural treasures can be discovered.
The church of Santa Barbara
One of the most important monuments in Rovito is definitely the church of Santa Barbara, which currently represents the parish of the town. It is a Romanesque-Gothic structure with Baroque elements added during the restoration of 1630. The facade has a double sloping roof with Gothic portals and rosettes and resembles the cathedral of Cosenza. The interior of the church is three-aisled with four columns supporting five arches, one of which bears the date 1556. The ceiling is wooden and there are architectural fragments of stone dating back to the 5th-7th centuries. In addition, the baptismal font is from the 16th century, made of carved stone.
Also worth seeing are the wooden works carried out by Roglian master craftsmen in the 17th century, including those visible in the Arnone chapel, dating back to 1630. Here you can admire tuffaceous sepulchral monuments of the Arnone family and an unknown canvas depicting Saint Thomas Aquinas, dated 1737. Inside the apse, you will find a carved wooden altar piece containing canvases depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Barbara, saints and two wooden statues dating back to the 17th century representing Saint Barbara and Saint Catherine of Alexandria, as well as two paintings depicting SS. Peter and Paul, both from the 18th century.
The church of la Riforma
In Rovito there is also the church of La Riforma, which has a stone portal from 1634 and is dedicated to the Reformers of St. Francis of Assisi. This church is very important, as it testifies to the presence of the Franciscans in Rovito since the 15th century and represents a place of worship that has its origin in the Catholic reform promoted by the Council of Trent.
In summary, Rovito is an enchanting place full of history, where it is possible to admire ancient churches, historical monuments and unique naturalistic treasures in the world. Come and discover this wonder of Calabria, you won't regret it!
