ACRI

Acri is a fundamental popular artistic locality of Calabria which is spread across three hills in a panoramic position overlooking the Mucone and Chàlamo torrents at the edges of the National Park of Sila.

History

The territory where Acri lies was frequented since the Eneolithic period (3.500-2.800 BC) as demonstrated by digs carried out and subsequent finds on the slopes of the Dogna Hills.

Some identify the ancient city as that of Pandosia and others still with Acheruntia, an ancient Bruzi city.

Mindful of its proud past, Acri did not willingly accept domination by Rome and therefore sided with Hannibal during the Second Punic War, paying for this choice through besiegement by the Romans (203 BC).

Finally at peace during the Imperial era, Acri enjoyed a period of economic development facilitated by peaceful politics inaugurated by Augusto, and which was continued by successive emperors.

After the end of Rome it entered as part of the Odoacre Reign (476-493) and then the Ostrogoth Reign of Teodorico (493-553). In the ambit of clashes during the Greek-Gothic War (535-553) Acri was once again besieged by Totila and his troops who plundered and almost completely destroyed the city (542).

The Longobards made it their Gastaldo (an administrative ward governed by a civil employee of the Royal Court) until 896 when it was conquered by the Byzantines and entered into the territory of the Eastern Roman Empire. Acri was besieged, plundered and conquered numerous times by the Saracens and had to wait more than a century to return to a stable governmental situation under the Normans of Robert Guiscard, who assigned the city to Count Simone Cofone (1074).

In a period (XII century) characterised by heavy clashes between powerful monks from neighbouring abbeys and Norman feudatories, Acri was heavily damaged by an earthquake (1185). It was only during Swabian ascension to the throne (1194) that it once again prospered economically thanks to the silk trade.

Like the rest of Italy, it passed under the Angioinians (1268) and suffered bad economic administration. Nevertheless, Acri remained faithful to the French until 1462 when it was besieged by the Aragonese who penetrated the City after betrayal by an Acri citizen. This led to devastation, pillage and homicide as well as the S. Maria Maggiore Church, which had accommodated women and children, being set alight. Commander Nicolò Clandioffo was sawed alive in the public square.

The same history was repeated 30 years later in reverse with the same characters: the Aragonese were besieged by the French (1496) under Carlo VIII who destroyed the castle and sawed alive the nobiliary of Acri.

During 1799 the City adhered to the Republican motions paying for this choice 7 years later through besiegement and destruction by the Sanfediste troops (1806).
The liberal feeling did not diminish and Acri actively participated in the Carbonari motions (1820-21) as well as the Renaissance ones (1848) and later those of the Unitarians (1860).

The Blessed Angelo was born in Acri (1669-1738) and the Poet Vincenzo Padula (1819-93).

A visit to the City

There are many places and artistic attractions in Acri. We can begin with its two splendid churches. Although both suffered various earthquakes over the centuries, they have preserved their historical and architectonic value.

One must not miss a visit to the S. Maria Maggiore Church, which was readjusted during the XVII century and which preserves a wooden crucifix in its interior from the '300s.
The 16th century S. Francesco of Paolo and Madonna of Rinfresco are also noteworthy.
Other works of art can be found in the Cappuccini Convent and the Medieval Annunziata Church.

Acri still preserves its Castle ruins and is embellished by the presence of nobiliary buildings, today seat of museums such as Palazzo Sanseverino and Palazzo Ferraudo.

Museums

- Museo d'Arte Contemporanea, Palazzo Sanseverino
- Museo Beato Angelo, Convento del Beato Angelo
- Museo della Civiltà Contadina, Palazzo Ferraudo

Place of interest

- Chiesa di S. Maria Maggiore
- Chiesa dell'Annunziata (1269)
- Chiesa di San Nicola Ante Castillum o San Nicola di Mjra (XI sec.)
- Resti del Castello
- Chiesa della Madonna del Rinfresco (1521)
- Chiesa ed il convento di San Francesco di Paola ('500)
- Basilica del Beato Angelo d'Acri
- Chiesa di Santa Chiara (1724)
- Chiesa e Convento di San Domenico (1524)
- Chiesa e Convento dei Cappuccini (1590)
- Chiesa di S. Francesco di Paola ('500)
- Chiesa di S. Nicola
- Chiesa di S. Caterina
- Palazzo Sanseverino (XVII sec.)
- Palazzo De Simone-Julia
- Palazzo Julia (XV sec.)
- Palazzo Padula
- Palazzo Astorino Giannone
- Palazzo Spezzano
- Palazzo Civitate
- Serra Crista di Acri
- Visita di San Demetrio Corone
- Abbazia di Sambucina
- Lago di Cecíta
- Parco Nazionale della Sila

Events

- Sausage and meatball festival in February;
- San Giuseppe Fair on 19th March;
- Chestnut Festival in October;
- Fair of the Blessed Angelo at the end of October.

ACRI
Art City

Calabria region of Italy
 

City Guide
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Travel in Acri
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Art Cities in Calabria
Catanzaro
Cosenza
Crotone
Reggio Calabria
Vibo Valentia
More Cities in Calabria
Acri
Aiello Calabro
Albi
Altomonte
Amantea
Amendolara
Andali
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Badolato
Belcastro
Belmonte Calabro
Belvedere Marittimo
Bivongi
Bonifati
Bova
Caccuri
Castrovillari
Cetraro
Cerva
Corigliano
Cropani
Cutro
Falconara Albanese
Fiumefreddo Bruzio
Gerace
Gioiosa Jonica
Grotteria
Guardavalle
Lamezia Terme
Lappano
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Maida
Mammola
Marina Gioiosa Ionica
Mesoraca
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Morano Calabro
Motta San Giovanni
Nicotera
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Oriolo
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Palmi
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Pentedattilo
Petilia Policastro
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Roghudi
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San Demetrio Corone
San Giovanni in Fiore
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Scalea
Scigliano
Scilla
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Seminara
Serra San Bruno
Sersale
Sibari
Simeri Crichi
Soriano Calabro
Soverato
Spezzano della Sila
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Stilo
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