Saracena
Welcome to Saracena!
Hello friends! Today I'm taking you on a tour of Saracena, a municipality in the province of Cosenza, located in the charming region of Calabria. With its 3401 inhabitants, the city stands on a rocky hill east of the Garga river valley and at the foot of the Orsomarso Mountains, part of the Pollino National Park.
Exploring the territory
Saracena is rich in natural beauty. Just a few kilometers from the center, we find the Cave of San Michele Arcangelo, also known as the Cave of Sant'Angelo. It is a spectacular karst cavity inhabited since ancient times. Other natural treasures include Mount Caramolo, which at 1,827 meters represents the highest point in the municipal territory, the Piano di Novacco, the Piano di Masistro, the Timpone Scifariello, and the Tavolara Lake. The territory covers an area of 111.51 km², with a density of only 37 inhabitants per km². The altitude of the territory varies from 92 to 1,827 meters above sea level, with a total altitude difference of 1,735 meters, a factor that makes the botanical and faunal heritage particularly fascinating.
The perfect climate
As if that weren't enough, the climate of Saracena is perfect. According to the historian Vincenzo Forestieri, the climate is temperate and healthy. Although winter can be harsh at higher altitudes, summer is always cool, mitigated by the fresh breezes of the surrounding mountains. What more could you want?
A dive into history
The territory of Saracena has been inhabited since ancient times, and the city itself dates back at least to the period of Enotrian domination. It is said to have been founded as "Sestio" by the aforementioned Enotrians 560 years before the Trojan War, and would have represented the sixth city built by the Enotrians in Calabria. In the 9th century AD, the Saracens settled there and the city changed its name to Saracena. Later, the imperial army of Constantinople destroyed the city. The few survivors fled, led by a naked and disheveled woman wrapped in a sheet.
Conclusion
So here is a brief presentation of Saracena and its main treasures. If you are looking for a destination to spend a weekend of relaxation, Saracena is the perfect choice. Among the most fascinating natural landscapes in Italy, an ancient and fascinating history, and a mild climate, the only real risk is wanting to come back again and again!
