CETRARO
Along the Tyrrhenian coastal track, known as the Riviera
dei Cedri, is where one will come across the ancient Bretto
centre of Cetraro.
History
It was an ancient Bruzi centre; an ancient Italic population
who in the IV century BC, acquired major importance after
battling victoriously against Magno-Greek cities.
The Longobard princess Sichelgaita, Robert Guiscard's second
wife, gave the village to the Montecassino Abbey (1086) in
thanks for the profuse commitment of Abbot Desiderio IV with
Pope Leone IX during the Ecumenical Councils of Melfi.
From that moment on until 1810, Cetraro was administered by
Benedictine monks.
Its name derives from Citrarium, which tells of the cultivation
of cider, which has always characterised its territory.
The Turkish Corsair Khar-ad-Din attacked Cetraro during 1534,
destroying the naval shipyards, some galleys and the port,
killing forty people and bringing the city to its knees. However,
a further Turkish assault during 1573 was fended off.
The dialectal poet, Giovanni de Giacomo, was born in Cetraro
(1867-1929).
A visit to the City
From Piazza del Popolo, where one can admire the Neptune
Fountain and the Civic Museum,one can enter the historical
centre through Via Porta di Basso leading to the S. Giuseppe
Church.
Close by, is where one can visit the S. Nicola Church, Palazzo
del Vicario and S. Zaccaria Church.
The S. Benedetto Mother Church is situated in the homonymous
square and contains an organ from the '700s in its interior.
The Ritiro Church with its portal dating back to the '500s,
and the Cappuccini or San Pietro Church, which preserves a
G:B: Azzolino polyptych ('600s), completes the visit.
Various archaeological finds, datable to the Brettia Era (IV
century BC), are now exhibited in Palazzo Del Trono.
Place of interest
- Chiesa Madre di S. Benedetto
- Chiesa del Ritiro
- Chiesa di S. Giuseppe
- Chiesa di S. Nicola
- Palazzo del Vicario
- Chiesa di S. Zaccaria
- Fontana di Nettuno in Piazza del Popolo
- Palazzo Del Trono
- Chiesa di San Pietro o dei Cappuccini
- Santuario di Monte Serra
- Terme Luigiane
- Grotta delle Colonne
- Grotta dei Rizzi
- Torre di Rienzo
- Scogli detto Testa del Leone
Museums
- Museo Civico a Palazzo Del Trono
- Museo di Arti e Mestieri
Events
- Festa di San Benedetto l'11 luglio
- Torneo dei rioni la 2ª domenica di agosto
|