Corigliano Calabro (Curegghìene in the local dialect) is a
fraction of 40 478 inhabitants of Corigliano-Rossano in the province
of Cosenza.
The hamlet of Cantinella is part of the Albanian
minority of Italy, which keeps the Byzantine language and rite
alive.
On 22 October 2017, through a referendum, the merger
process with the neighboring municipality of Rossano began, which
culminated on 31 March 2018 in the establishment of the new
municipality of Corigliano-Rossano.
Ducal Castle (Castello Ducale)
Dominating the skyline from its
strategic hilltop position, the Ducal Castle is the undisputed crown
jewel of Corigliano Calabro and one of Calabria's most impressive
fortresses. Originally constructed in 1073 by Norman conqueror Robert
Guiscard as a primitive stronghold to defend against invasions and
oversee the fertile plain below, it evolved over centuries into a grand
ducal residence. The structure features robust crenellated walls,
cylindrical towers (including the prominent Mastio tower), and a moat,
reflecting Norman, Aragonese, and later Baroque influences from
renovations in the 15th and 17th centuries. Inside, visitors can explore
a self-guided route through atmospheric rooms, including a 19th-century
kitchen with original utensils, opulently decorated bedrooms showcasing
period furniture and frescoes, and even a dimly lit prison cell with a
life-sized model of a monk imprisoned for historical scandals. The
castle's panoramic terraces offer sweeping views of the sea, mountains,
and orchards, making it a highlight for history buffs and photographers.
It's recently restored to its former glory, with entry fees around
€5-€10, and tours available for deeper insights into its role in
Calabria's feudal past. Rated highly for its imposing presence and
well-preserved interiors, it's a must-visit that encapsulates the town's
medieval heritage.
Santuario Maria SS. di Schiavonea
Located
in the coastal hamlet of Schiavonea, this sanctuary is a spiritual heart
of Corigliano Calabro, revered for housing the icon of the Black Madonna
(Madonna Nera), a Byzantine-style image believed to offer protection to
local fishermen. Dating back to the 16th century, the original chapel
has expanded over time; today, it stands alongside a modern church built
in the 2000s, creating a blend of old and new architecture. The interior
features ornate marble altars, intricate frescoes, and statues, with the
illuminated Madonna icon as the focal point in a richly decorated apse.
Pilgrims flock here for festivals, especially in May and August, when
processions honor the Virgin Mary with maritime traditions, including
boats carrying the statue along the coast. The site exudes a serene,
devotional atmosphere, with elements like candle-lit vigils and
inscribed plaques commemorating miracles. It's particularly meaningful
for those interested in Calabrian folk religion and offers quiet
reflection amid the bustling marina nearby.
Ponte Canale
Tucked in the historic center's winding alleys, the Ponte Canale is a
striking remnant of ancient engineering, often described as a "bridge
over nothing" due to its arched structure spanning a narrow street
rather than water. Built in the medieval era, possibly as part of an
aqueduct or defensive system, it consists of robust brick arches
integrated into surrounding buildings, creating a picturesque urban
canyon effect. The bridge's weathered stone and ivy accents evoke a
sense of timeless mystery, and it's a favorite spot for photos,
especially when framed against colorful balconies and laundry lines.
While not a major attraction on its own, it exemplifies the town's
layered history, connecting to nearby piazzas and offering glimpses into
daily life in the old quarter. Visitors often stumble upon it while
wandering, and it's free to view, adding to the charm of exploratory
strolls.
Lungomare di Schiavonea
Stretching along the Ionian
coastline, the Lungomare di Schiavonea is Corigliano Calabro's vibrant
seafront promenade, a hub for leisure and local culture. This palm-lined
walkway borders pebbly beaches and the azure sea, featuring benches,
gelaterias, and seafood restaurants where fresh catches from the nearby
fishing port are served. In summer, it's alive with families, cyclists,
and evening passeggiate (strolls), while winter brings peaceful waves
and migratory birdwatching. The area ties into the town's maritime
heritage, with views of distant mountains and occasional markets selling
Calabrian specialties like citrus fruits. It's ideal for unwinding after
exploring the hilltop sites, and nearby facilities include beach clubs
for sunbathing or water sports.
Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore
As the mother church of Corigliano Calabro, the Chiesa di Santa Maria
Maggiore stands in the heart of the historic center, showcasing Baroque
splendor amid the town's ancient fabric. Dating to the 10th century with
significant 18th-century rebuilds, its facade boasts ornate portals,
statues, and a prominent bell tower with a clock offering panoramic
vistas over the plain and sea. Inside, highlights include intricate
marble altars, gilded stuccos, frescoed ceilings depicting biblical
scenes, and valuable artworks like paintings by local masters and a
revered wooden crucifix. The church serves as a cultural anchor, hosting
concerts and religious events, and its serene interior provides a cool
respite from the Calabrian sun. It's rich in artifacts, reflecting
centuries of devotion and artistry, and is often paired with visits to
nearby convents like San Francesco di Paola for a fuller religious tour.
According to some interpretations, the toponym derives from the Latin Corellianum with the meaning of "Corellio farm"; according to other hypotheses, the name could be traced back to that of other toponyms of Southern Italy such as Corigliano d'Otranto, and therefore from the Greek Byzantine term "χωρίον" (transliterated choríon), respectively to the etymologically related term "χώρα" (chóra) , with the meaning of village, town, farm, land or place, or village of oil, from the Greek choríon elàion.
The question relating to the
origins of Corigliano has always aroused lively debates. The terms
of the discussion, recently summarized, have highlighted four
hypotheses relating to the increase, which took place between the
Ancient Age and the Early Middle Ages, of the Coriglianese urban
reality. The first saw Ausoni and Enotri as protagonists: from the
first the site would have taken the name "Ausonia". The second
phase, which took place in the well-known historical framework
linked to the birth of Sibari (VIII-VII century BC), led to a strong
Greekization of the surrounding area. The third period was instead
characterized by the transfer of a group of sybarite exiles to the
Serratore hill after the destruction of their city. Their
descendants, federated with the new inhabitants of the city of
Thurii and for this reason also appealed to Turini, would have
welcomed the Roman Gaius Martius, known as Coriolano for having
conquered the capital of the Volsci. The commander in exile, in
return for the excellent hospitality received, wanted to leave the
victorious title he was proud of to the Ausoni-Turini, so the name
of the town became Ausonia, civitas Coriolanensium. The fourth and
last phase ̶ would seem the most reliable ̶ is linked to the Saracen
raids of the 10th century and the destruction of the hamlet of San
Mauro (see Luigi De Luca, Medieval Corigliano, from its origins to
the end of the 12th century, "with a new reading of the Rossanese
paper ", Cosenza, 1985).
The major documents available, up to
the Swabian domination, come from farmhouses or strongholds that
today are part of the municipality of Corigliano: Apollinara, Santo
Mauro and Crepacore. These were mainly managed by two important
monasteries, Santa Maria del Patir di Rossano and Santa Maria de
Ligno Crucis located in the Crepacore castro.
The first
feudal lord of Corigliano, of whom we have certain news, is the
well-known Andrea Cicala, a faithful of Federico II. As early as
1246 it seems that it no longer owned the present-day center of
Sybaris as it was involved in the Capaccio conspiracy against the
Swabian emperor.
With the advent of the Angevins, the French
knights became the feudal lords of Corigliano until the end of the
thirteenth century when the Roman nobleman Stefano Colonna took over
the feud, then Ruggero Sangineto who became the first count of
Corigliano in 1299. Between the fourteenth and the first half of the
fifteenth century the hegemony of the Sangineto family was gradually
overthrown by the Sanseverinos, who at the behest of the Aragonese,
new rulers of Southern Italy, received the title of "prince of
Bisignano".
In 1532 the number of inhabitants grew to almost
4,000 and in 1538 the city was able to repel the attack of the
Saracen pirate Barbarossa.
The Sanseverinos had dominion over
Corigliano until the death of the last Sanseverino, the prodigal
Niccolò Bernardino, prince of Bisignano. In 1616, to make up for the
debts left by Sanseverino, the government ordered the sale of his
feudal assets and among these Corigliano, which was purchased by
Agostino and Giovan Filippo Saluzzo, rich financiers engaged in the
economic activities of the Kingdom of Naples. After some inheritance
passages the lordship gradually consolidated in the hands of Giacomo
Saluzzo, president of the "Regia Camera della Sommaria", who
disposed of the fiefdom in favor of his son Agostino. The latter,
after having sustained a long siege in the Castle and having
repelled the republican forces of the Duke of Guise (1647-48),
obtained the title of Duke of Corigliano by Philip IV of Spain on 8
May 1649.
During the seventeenth century the Saluzzo family
were unable to stop the progressive economic decline: many of the
lands of the plain had been abandoned and had become swampy, causing
an accentuation of malaria, to which was added an epidemic of plague
in 1656.
In the eighteenth century there was an improvement
in conditions, thanks to the reclamation works undertaken by the
dukes and the production of licorice. The inhabitants reached the
figure of 6,800 in 1743 and the city developed with new
neighborhoods outside the walls ("Gradoni Sant'Antonio" and "San
Francesco").
The Saluzzo family sold their Coriglianese assets
in 1828 to Baron Giuseppe Compagna, (1780-1834), who cleverly
reassembled in his own hands and his heirs Luigi (1823-1872) and
Francesco (1848-1925), the economic power that had been of the
dukes.
Between 1814 and 1951 the inhabitants went from just
over 8,000 to about 21,000: the development is due to the agrarian
reform and the reclamation of the plain, where vast citrus groves
were planted. The various hamlets grew considerably, some of which
developed as tourist resorts (Piano Caruso).
In 1863
Corigliano took the name of "Corigliano Calabro" to avoid confusion
with Corigliano d'Otranto.
Corigliano Calabro, now a frazione (subdivision) of the larger
municipality of Corigliano-Rossano since its merger in 2018, is situated
in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. It
lies approximately 40 km northeast of the city of Cosenza, positioned on
the northeastern edge of the Sibari Plain (also known as the Plain of
Sybaris), which stretches between the foothills of the Sila Mountains to
the south and west and the Ionian Sea to the east. Geographically, the
area is defined by coordinates around 39°36' N latitude and 16°31' E
longitude, with the historic town center elevated at about 210 meters
above sea level. The total municipal area spans roughly 196 km²,
encompassing a diverse range of landscapes from coastal zones to
mountainous interiors. It is located about four miles inland from the
Gulf of Taranto, part of the Ionian Sea, and is roughly 85 miles
southwest of Taranto. This strategic position has historically made it a
vantage point overlooking the fertile plain, which is renowned for its
agricultural productivity.
Topography and Landforms
The
geography of Corigliano Calabro is characterized by significant
topographic variety, reflecting Calabria's rugged terrain. The historic
center is perched on a small hill, rising sharply from the surrounding
plain, which provides panoramic views over the Sibari Plain and toward
the Ionian coast. This hilltop location, typical of many medieval
Italian towns, was chosen for defensive purposes, with the imposing
Ducal Castle dominating the skyline. The terrain slopes gently eastward
toward the sea, transitioning into a flat coastal plain that extends for
about 13 km along the shoreline, including the seaside hamlet of
Schiavonea, which serves as a fishing port and beach area. To the south
and west, the landscape ascends into the foothills of the Sila Massif,
part of the Apennine mountain chain, where elevations can reach up to
1,723 meters in the municipal territory. This mountainous zone includes
dense pine forests and rugged slopes, contrasting sharply with the
fertile lowlands. The Sibari Plain itself is a broad alluvial valley,
formed by sediment deposits from ancient rivers, and is bordered by the
Pollino National Park to the north, adding to the area's biodiversity
with tree farms and wooded hills. Overall, the topography creates a
microcosm of Calabria's features: coastal flats, rolling hills, and high
plateaus, making the region prone to varied microclimates and seismic
activity common to the Apennines.
Climate
Corigliano Calabro
enjoys a Mediterranean climate, influenced by its proximity to the
Ionian Sea and the protective barrier of the Sila Mountains. Summers are
typically hot and dry, with average high temperatures around 30°C (86°F)
in July and August, moderated by sea breezes that prevent extreme heat.
Winters are mild and wet, with lows rarely dropping below 5°C (41°F) and
occasional rainfall supporting the lush vegetation. The mountains to the
south temper harsh weather, creating a year-round pleasant
environment—scorching summer days are cooled by mountain air, while
winters benefit from the warming influence of the sea. Annual
precipitation is moderate, around 800-1,000 mm, concentrated in the fall
and winter, which aids in irrigating the citrus orchards. This climate
fosters agriculture, particularly the cultivation of clementines,
olives, and other subtropical crops. However, the region can experience
occasional extreme events, such as heavy rains leading to flooding in
the plain or heatwaves amplified by southern winds from Africa.
Hydrography and Water Features
The area's hydrography is dominated by
its coastal position on the Ionian Sea, with the 13 km stretch of
beaches in Schiavonea featuring fine sands and clear turquoise waters.
The Sibari Plain is traversed by several small rivers and streams
originating from the Sila Mountains, including the Crati River nearby,
which has historically deposited fertile sediments, enriching the soil
for farming. These waterways form a network of canals and drainage
systems that prevent waterlogging in the lowlands. The port at
Schiavonea, while primarily for fishing and small vessels, adds to the
maritime character. Inland, natural springs and seasonal torrents in the
hills contribute to the water supply, though the region relies on
reservoirs in the mountains for irrigation during drier months.
Vegetation, Agriculture, and Natural Features
Vegetation in
Corigliano Calabro varies by elevation and proximity to the sea. The
coastal plain and lower hills are blanketed in extensive olive groves
and brightly colored citrus orchards, particularly famous for
clementines, which thrive in the fertile, alluvial soils of the Sibari
Plain. Licorice cultivation is also notable in the area. As elevations
increase toward the Sila, the landscape shifts to Mediterranean maquis
shrubland, interspersed with pine forests and oak woodlands. Parts of
the territory fall within the Sila National Park, a vast protected area
covering over 73,000 hectares, known for its biodiversity, including
wolves, deer, and rare plant species. Proximity to the Pollino National
Park further enhances the natural appeal, with hiking trails through
calcareous peaks and deep valleys. These parks protect diverse
ecosystems, from coastal dunes to alpine meadows, making the region a
haven for ecotourism. Human activity has shaped the land through
terraced farming on hillsides, but conservation efforts preserve the
balance between agriculture and wilderness.