Camigliatello Silano
Welcome to Camigliatello Silano: the Pearl of Sila
Camigliatello Silano, a mountainous hamlet of the municipality of Spezzano della Sila in the province of Cosenza, is an ideal tourist destination at any time of the year. Situated at 1272 meters above sea level, it is one of the most visited centers in the area for its natural beauty. The city has modern ski lifts and a vast skiing area with 2 ski slopes, a blue one and a red one.
A Rich Territory of Nature
The Forest
Camigliatello Silano is situated within the Sila National Park, where it is possible to admire the present animals and hike along the paths of the Sila forests. The forest surrounding the village is very diverse: between 1100 and 1300 meters, Pinus nigra and Laricio prevail, accompanied by the beech around 1350 meters. At 1500 meters, however, the beech is almost pure, accompanied only by the presence of some Abies alba and laricio pines.
Climate
The climate of Camigliatello Silano is typically mountainous with long, snowy winters from 1000 to 1300 meters above sea level, with persistent snow cover from December to April above 1400 meters. In some years, in these areas, snow depths can exceed 2 meters. Air temperatures are quite rigid with January average hovering around 0°C, with minimum peaks down to -15 °C during exceptional cold waves. Summers are cool with brief thunderstorms during the afternoon hours.
A Centuries-Old History
Archaeological Areas
Camigliatello Silano has an ancient history, dating back to Homo erectus (Lower Paleolithic) and Neanderthal man (Middle Paleolithic). Between the end of the Neolithic and the beginning of the Copper Age, the entire Sila was occupied by settlements of farmers and fishermen who exploited the ancient lacustrine basins (Arvo and Cecita) using a particular fishing method with nets. Further evidence dates back to the ancient Bronze Age (Ampollino and Cecita).
The prehistoric settlement of Piana di Cecita was extensively investigated by the Superintendency for Archaeological Heritage of Calabria in the years 2004-2008 but unfortunately appears to have been damaged by unauthorized excavation activities that erased over 3000 square meters of archaeological surface. Fortunately, thousands of artifacts (vases, flint and obsidian tools, stone axes) were confiscated and placed in custody by the police and, at the Magistrate's order, were released in favor of the State and delivered to the Archaeological Superintendency.
The most important Greek settlement (6th century BC), among the various testimonials present in the area, was called "Crimissa", but its exact location is still the subject of research and debate among scholars.
Conclusions
Camigliatello Silano offers tourists a unique natural scenario in its beauty and history. The mountainous area, characterized by the presence of forests and mountains, offers many opportunities for hiking and living in contact with nature. The presence of archaeological areas enriches the cultural offer, allowing visitors to discover the traces of human presence since ancient times. A place not to be missed!
