ISTITUTO D ISTRUZIONE SUPERIORE

“S. Pertini”- Viale Matteotti - Crotone ITALY

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The Province of Crotone

The Province of Crotone

Map of the Province

The Province of Crotone gathers all the typical elements of nature and Mediterranean civilization from

the blue waters of the Jonian sea to the remains of the ancient populations who landed on these coasts,

from the dry landscape sloping down towards the sea to the feudal aristocracy of the presilan villages

and the green scenery of the Silan forest.

The sea, the mountain and a naturalistic wealth, still unpolluted, saw the birth of the most ancient

cultures, and Magna Grecia knew its greatness along these coasts. A magic land, then, which over the

centuries has been home of Greeks, Byzantines, Romans, Normans, Swabians, Angevins and Bourbons.

These populations left traces of their civilization in the castles and the towers built along the coast of the

Province. Today these castles and towers are used for cultural purposes.

Since Pythagoras’ times this land has been known not only for its healthy climate but also for its rich

natural beauty. Its coastline is considered the largest Italian marine reserve, its highest mountains are part

of the National Park of Calabria while on its hills there are naturalistic oases of rare beauty.

With a population of around 60.000 inhabitants,

Crotone is one of the loveliest and modern cities in the

south of Italy. Today it is also the chief town of the

province of the same name with 27 communes. Its

origins are very famous. It was founded about the 7th

century B.C. by a group of Greek colonists and

reached such splendour that it became a major polis in

Magna Grecia.

Home town of Milo, Pythagoras, Alcmeone, it had the

famous Medical school of the latter, the Pythagorical

school and the Athletic school which had Milo as an

exponent. The Acropolis of the Greek city lay on the

site which is today occupied by the walled medieval

town and the castle. The new town extends in the

surrounding area with modern buildings and wide

streets.

I.I S: "S.Pertini" di Crotone - Italy

Part of the working population is employed in agriculture and farmers manage most of the land

which is cultivated. Arable crops such as crereals and vegetables are grown where the land is

flat while the majority of sheep and cattle are reared on the hills and upland areas; it’s here that

rainfall produces excellent grass for animals and dairy farming can be found. The government

provides financial support for agriculture modernisation, encouraging farmers to plough up more

land on which to grow food, while rural tourism businesses are increasing. Fishing is not a

source of employment as it provides fish supplies only for local population Industrial activity, which began in 1925 and grew thanks to the electrical power from

the Sila, has declined over recent years. As a result of the slump in industry, the

service industry has become a significant contributor to the wealth of the area.

With its mild climate, its varied coastline and its pleasant sandy

beaches, Crotone attracts visitors all year round. Although on

the sea, it is only an hour’s drive away from the Sila forest with

its mountains, abundance of water, a variety of scenery. The

ideal position (between sea and mountain) makes the city one

of the most important tourist centres in the south of Italy.

It can be reached by road, by rail and by air; it has a marina for boats and yatchs so

visitors can also reach Crotone by sea.

Tourism has increased hotel industry; a large range of accommodation along the coast,

from four star hotels to guest-houses, farmhouses, camping sites and caravaning sites, is

offered to tourists.

Dating back to the XVI century, it is

characterized by two imposing cilindrical

towers at the corners and by a number of

ramparts rising at the highest point of the city.

From the terraces you can have a beautiful

view of the harbour and the old city.

Dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. The present

construction dates back to XVI century. The façade is in

neoclassical style. The interior preserves a Byzantine tablet of our

Lady of Capocolonna of exceptional artistic value. Tradition has

it that it is an image brought from the Orient to Capo Lacinio

which survived the fire started by the Turks in the XVI century.

One also finds St.Dionigi’s chapel of XVI century, the choir of

XVII century and the Baptistery of VII century.

The Castle of Charles V

The Minor Basilica

The Church of the Immaculate It dates back to XVIII century. The interior,

decorated with artistic stuccos, preserves a

wooden Crucifix of the Neapolitan school

(XVIII century), a rare representation of the

Dying Christ with his eyes still open.

The Church of St.Clare It dates back to XVII century. In baroque

style, it presents various decorations

among which silverware, an antique

organ and a tiled floor of XVIII century

workmanship. In the centre of the apse

stands a XVII century altar in

polichromic marble.

Noble buildings In the historic centre there is a number

of buildings built along the city walls:

the Gallucci and the Berlingeri

buildings in neoclassical style, the

Barracco building (an elegant XVIII

century Baroque construction), the

Giunti, Lucifero and Zurlo buildings.

The National Archeological Museum Located near the Castle, it preserves, among

other things, an important coin collection of the

greek and roman period and many objects from

the nearby archaeological areas. Particularly

interesting is the hall dedicated to the treasure of

Hera, a collection of votive objects and

ornaments among which the famous golden

diadem.

Capocolonna

This place is of great interest not only for the beauty

of the coast, but also because it is one of the most

important archaeological sites. A column stands here

where once stood the famous doric temple of Hera, a

pilgrimage destination for the Greek world and

centre of the cult of the goddess. The doric column

is the only one remaining of the 48 columns of the

original temple. Today the destination of many

pilgrims is the small chapel of our Lady of

Capocolonna.

Isola Capo Rizzuto

Of great tourist value, it is famous for its beautiful views.

It preserves a lot of sacred works among which the

renaissance Cathedral with a XVII century portal; situated

in the town square, it keeps a XVI century polyptych and a

byzantine image of the Madonna Greca (the town’s

patroness). Of a certain interest is the church of St.Mark,

XV century. It is interesting to visit also the medieval

village with the remains of the Castle of the Ricca family

with the Door of the Earth and that of the Sea. The whole

area has expanded with the development of tourist centres

and hotels. A traditional pilgrinage to Capo Rizzuto takes

place on the first Sunday in May.

South in the bay of Crotone is the largest Italian marine reserve.

Declared a protected area in 1991, it offers beautiful sea-cliffs and wide

sandy beaches. Many different species of marine fauna live here,

offering skin-divers a suggestive scenery of colours and a magic world

of emotions. Among its fish, the pride of the Reserve is the parrot fish

with its unique couloring in the Calabrian sea-bottom.

Le Castella Particularly impressive for its history and beauty is the

Aragonian Castle, certainly the main tourist attraction. At

its apogee in XVI century, but of much more ancient

origins (Hannibal erected the first tower) is still in good

conditions and is isolated from the mainland by the sea,

standing on a small island near the coast.

Marine Reserve

Cirò Known all over the world for its famous

wine, it enjoys a trading activity, thanks to

the fertile land, exploited for olive groves

and vineyards, and to a modern fishing

industry. It is also of historic interest for the

ruins of the Doric temple of Apollo Aleo

from where comes the head of the statue of

the god in marble, now kept in the National

Museum of Reggio Calabria, and for the

small castle of the Carafa family.

Set on a rock overlooking the valley and the river Neto, it is

one of the best preserved historical centres of Calabria and

of great importance for Byzantine and Norman art. One

reaches the town walking through the only road which leads

to the main square where the castle and the Cathedral stand.

The Castle, known as of Roberto il Guiscardo, overlooks the

town. Restored in the XVI century by the Carafa family, its

ramparts offer a breathtaking view of the surrounding

landscapes while the interior has beautiful frescoed vaults.

The Baptistery in the Cathedral is worth a visit for the

frescoes of X and XI centuries.

Santa Severina

Sila and the National Park

Few kilometres away from the sea is the mountain with

nature of rare beauty and breathtaking views. The Sila

offers an variety of landscapes from the blue lakes,

compared to those of Canada and Switzerland, to the

pine woods, from the gentle slopes to the great pastures.

Created in 1968, the National Park is a real jewel from

both a naturalistic and landscape point of view.

Nunerous animal species live in the park including wild

boar, squirrels, wood-packers, wood pigeons, crows,

rooks, ravens, vipers, grass-snakes and lizards. Of great

interest are the so-called “Giants of the Sila”, majestic

secular Austrian pines which reach a height of 50m. The

silan resorts are well equipped with the best winter and

summer sports facilities.

Gastronomy reflects the use of local produce. Most dishes are simple but made tasty by using

the typical Mediterranean aromatic herbs such as marhjoran, basil, bay leaves. Olive oil and

hot pepper are used.

Typical food:

Butirri: Cheese with butter inside;

Pecorino and Ricotta: Sheep’s milk cheeses;

Soppressata: Spicy pork salami;

Sardella: A paste to spread on bread, made of small fry of

anchovies, hot red pepper and olive oil;

Quadraru: Fish soup served with homemade bread;

Scialatedru and Cavatedru: Typical dishes of homemade pasta;

Sanguinazzu: Cake prepared at Carnival time, made

from pig’s blood, chocolate and spice;

Pitta ‘nchiusa: Cake made of pastry filled with dried fruit.

Capocolonna feast: The painting of the Virgin of Capocolonna is the object

of a characteristic feast, held every year in May. It

culminates in a night procession with ten thousand of

people leaving the Basilica Cathedral of Crotone and

reaching the headland at dawn. The day after the

painting is carried back to the Cathedral by sea.

Aurora festival: It takes place every year in May. People from the city

and the surrounding area reach the headland of

Capocolonna to watch the music event at dawn.

Crotone Jazz festival: An interesting performance of international jazz

artists. It takes place in August in the Town Gardens.

Living game chess: It takes place in Cutro, one of the

27 communes of the province,

every year in August.

The living Holy Crib: It takes place every year the 6th of

January in the old town giving the place

the enchanting atmosphere of the Holy

Nativity.

SPORTS EVENTS

Athletic manifestation

Super moto-cross on the beach

Sailing regattas