Zumpano
Zumpano: a historic village in Calabria
Hello everyone! Today I would like to tell you about Zumpano, a small municipality in the province of Cosenza in Calabria, with a population of around 2600 inhabitants. Located 429 meters above sea level, the village is located east of the city of Cosenza, on the slopes of Sila Grande. The municipal area extends between 184 and 500 meters above sea level and offers breathtaking views of the unspoiled nature of Calabria.
Origins of the name
Although it is not certain where the name Zumpano comes from, it is believed to derive from the Greek-Calabrian surname "Zumbano". Over the centuries, the name of the municipality has been recorded in various ways, such as "de Cimpano" in 1324, "Zimpano" in 1326, "De Cympano" in 1432 and "Zompano" in the 16th century.
The history of Zumpano
The history of Zumpano dates back to the time of the Cosenza refugees, who fled their city due to the Arab invasion of Abulcasino around the year 1000. These refugees sought refuge in the mountains and hills surrounding Zumpano and established the first settlements there. Since then, the municipality has become a reference point for the people of Cosenza in case of attacks by external enemies, thanks to its strategic geographic position and its morphology that facilitated defense.
With the fall of the Roman Empire, the cities of southern Italy suffered invasions by invading peoples, including the barbarians and the Saracens. When these threats became imminent, the people of Cosenza sought refuge in the mountains and Zumpano represented an ideal destination due to its location and easily defensible position.
In 977 AD, the territory was invaded by the Arabs of Abulcassino, but this time the people of Cosenza resisted thanks to the protection offered by the surrounding mountains. When the Normans arrived in 1059 AD, they were able to repel the Arab attacks and took control of the entire Crati Valley.
The Normans built numerous castles and towers in the Crati Valley to protect the population from external incursions. During this period, the tower of Zumpano was also built, a symbol of Norman strength. The coat of arms of the municipality depicts a tower with two lions at the base, representing the fractions of Motta and Rovella, defending the center represented by the tower.
Conclusions
Here are some information about the history of Zumpano. I hope to have aroused your curiosity and perhaps encouraged you to visit this small village in Calabria. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes that the surrounding nature offers and to discover the wonders of Calabrian history and culture. See you soon!
