Santa Maria del Cedro
Welcome to Santa Maria del Cedro!
Hello everyone! Today we will talk about a beautiful town in the province of Cosenza, located in the north-western part of Calabria: Santa Maria del Cedro. With its 4,940 inhabitants, this locality is one of the municipalities of the so-called "Riviera dei Cedri", which takes its name from the Citrus medica, the typical product of the area.
A location immersed in nature
The municipality of Santa Maria del Cedro is located at the lower end of the Lao Plain, near the Lao and Abatemarco rivers, on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast. Its strategic location makes it an ideal destination for nature and sea lovers. In fact, the stretch of coast facing it is called the "Riviera dei Cedri", while the Pollino National Park is located a short distance away.
A brief history of Santa Maria del Cedro
Santa Maria del Cedro has a very interesting history. It was founded in the seventeenth century by the inhabitants of the nearby village of Abatemarco following its destruction due to a flood of the Abatemarco river. The original nucleus was made up of the "casale", a small group of houses located in the current main square. It was a feud of the Brancati of Naples until the Unification of Italy with the name of "Cipollina", i.e. "on this side of the [large] city" (probably Laos) or "of Pollino". In 1948, the autonomous municipality of Cipollina was established by separation from that of Grisolia and will change its name to "Santa Maria" in 1955 and then again in 1968, when it definitively acquires its current name, thanks to the foresight and work of the then parish priest, Don Francesco Gatto.
The symbols of Santa Maria del Cedro
The coat of arms and municipal banner of Santa Maria del Cedro were granted by a decree of the President of the Republic on December 7, 1958. They depict the face of the Madonna, a fruit of the citrus medica and a Greek column, with the sea in the background.
What to see in Santa Maria del Cedro
Santa Maria del Cedro offers many attractions, including the Castle of San Michele, dating back to the Middle Ages, and the so-called "Carcere dell'Impresa", an ancient factory dating back to the XV/XVI century, today Palazzo Marino and home to the Museum of Cedro of Santa Maria del Cedro. In the area, there are numerous archaeological sites highlighting the history of the area. In particular, on the Palecastro hill, we find the remains of the Greek city of Laos, whose many finds are now preserved in the antiquarium of Scalea and at the National Museum of Magna Grecia in Reggio Calabria.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Santa Maria del Cedro is a very interesting seaside location, rich in history and culture. If you are looking for a quiet place immersed in nature, where you can relax, but at the same time curious to discover the history and traditions of this territory, then Santa Maria del Cedro is the place for you! Come and visit us and let yourself be enchanted by the beauty of this Calabrian locality!
