Marcellina
Marcellina: an ancient village in Santa Maria del Cedro
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about Marcellina, a small village in the municipality of Santa Maria del Cedro, in the province of Cosenza, Calabria. But don't be fooled by the size of this place, because it has an ancient and interesting history to tell!
History: from Laos to present-day Marcellina
Marcellina is built on the ruins of the ancient city of Laos, founded by the inhabitants of Sybaris after the destruction of their city in 510 BC. The city of Laos was located on the "San Bartolo" hill, not far from today's Marcellina. Near the current village, some archaeological remains dating back to the 3rd and 4th century BC have been found, while on the old SS18 Tirrena Inferiore road, you can still admire the remains of a large dwelling of uncertain dating.
Festivities and traditions
In Marcellina, two patronal festivals are celebrated: the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which takes place on June 6 and 7, and San Marcellino, which is celebrated on the second Sunday of August. These occasions are an opportunity for the local community to come together and celebrate together, decorated with lights and music, with a joyful atmosphere that invites visitors to participate.
Physical geography and surroundings
Marcellina is a community of about 2,700 inhabitants, located about 5 kilometers from the center of Santa Maria del Cedro and close to the Lao and Abatemarco rivers. The local economy is mainly based on agriculture, which exploits the fertile land in the area to produce high-quality fruit, vegetables, and olive oil.
Infrastructure and transport
The territory of Marcellina houses the Marcellina-Verbicaro-Orsomarso railway station, located on the Southern Tyrrhenian railway line. This station is also known as Verbicaro-Scalo and was, in the past, under the municipality of Verbicaro.
Related voices and external links
If you want to deepen the history of Marcellina and its surroundings, you can consult the pages about Magna Graecia, Sybaris, and the Lao river. Furthermore, the Wikipedia page dedicated to Marcellina offers insights into the traditions and history of the surrounding areas.
That's the end of my summary of the history and peculiarities of today's Marcellina. If you want to visit a place with a thousand-year history and immersed in the suggestive landscapes of Calabria, this village in Santa Maria del Cedro is an absolute must-see!
