Cancello
Welcome to Cancello: The Frazione of Serrastretta with Views of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas
Cancello is a beautiful geographical hamlet in the municipality of Serrastretta, in the province of Catanzaro, Italy. In the 2011 census, it was inhabited by 809 people and sits at an altitude of approximately 253 meters above sea level. Cancello is characterized by a hilly landscape covered in lush vegetation with only one main road. The territory is crossed by the Cancello River, a tributary of the Amato River, and is rich in vegetable gardens, olive groves, chestnut woods, cork oaks, and the heath and broom understory.
The Landscape of Cancello: Mountains, Seas, and Mediterranean Bush
The vegetation surrounding the town is diverse and abundant, with a predominant presence of heath and broom, cork oaks, and shrubs like oak trees. The landscape offers breathtaking views that attract many tourists, especially from the hills north of the town, where they can photograph panoramic views of the two seas, including the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia and the Aeolian Islands on clear and cold winter days, with the peak of Mount Etna visible in the distance. Cancello's location in the narrowest part of Calabria is reflected in its natural ventilation, favoring a mild winter climate and a fresh summer climate, thanks to the presence of natural sea and mountain breezes.
How to Get to Cancello
Cancello is easily accessible, located only 20 km away from the Lamezia Terme exit of the A3 motorway and the Lamezia Terme Central railway station. The international airport of Lamezia Terme is also nearby. The town is approximately 40 km, which takes around 40 minutes to reach, from Catanzaro, the provincial capital and regional capital.
The History of Cancello
The village of Cancello shares the same history as the municipality's capital, Serrastretta, which was founded around the 13th century by five families from Scigliano (Fazio, Mancuso, Talarico, Bruni, and Scalise). The name "Serrastretta" is said to have been given by the inhabitants of Taverna and derived from the fact that the capital is surrounded by two mountains known as "Serre." Cancello was a fiefdom of the Caracciolo family and was purchased by the d'Aquino family in 1609.
Religious Architecture
The church of San Giorgio Martire, built around 1930, is one of the most stunning religious buildings in the area. The church was further enriched over time with the addition of a porch and a bell tower, which were previously absent. Inside, we find mosaic tondi depicting the faces of San Giorgio and the Madonna on the main altar, as well as a large statue of the town's patron saint, San Giorgio Martire. The festival of the patron saint takes place every year on the first Sunday after April 23rd, with a procession through the streets of Cancello, a fair, culinary festivals, and a fireworks display.
Cancello may not be very well-known, but it is truly a gem of Calabria that deserves to be discovered and admired. The landscape, strategic location, and historical and cultural heritage of the area make it an irresistible destination for anyone interested in spending time in Cancello.
