PETILIA POLICASTRO
Petilia Policastro is a centre in the province
of Crotone, positioned not too far from the Sila National
Park, along the Sóleo Valley.
History
The toponym derives from the Greek word Palaiókastron
meaning old castle. The term is Byzantine and reveals the
strategic and military function absolved by Policastro after
the end of the Roman Empire.
However, archaeological testimonies have been found dating
back to the following eras on its territory: the Bretti (IV
century BC), Romans (III BC – V AD). It was widely thought
that the centre could be identified with ancient Petelia and
hence the name change to Petilia Policastro. In reality, the
remains of Petelia can be found east of Strongoli.
The Normans conquered it with Robert Guiscard (1065), who
deported the population and substituted them with people who
observed the Latin ritual.
In 1632,the centre was shocked and upset by an earthquake.
Petilia Policastro is the native land of the poet Giuseppe
Coco (XVII century).
A visit to the City
The centre preserves an important Medieval town planning,
mixed with more recent inserts represented by nobiliary buildings,
built between the ‘500s and ‘600s.
The Matrix Church with its beautiful façade, characterised
by three entrances and Baroque altars in its interior is noteworthy.
The Santa Spina Sanctuary (1431) is important for its architectonic
system, its richness of its interior and the works it preserves.
One should see the Carsiche Grottoes and San Demetrio Grottoes
situated on its territory, which preserve Rupestrian settlements
from the Byzantine era.
Not too far away, one can also visit the Mesoraca, Belcastro
and Sersale centres.
Place of interest
- Resti del Castello
- Chiesa dell'Annunziata ('600)
- Chiesa di S. Francesco
- Chiesa di S. Caterina
- Chiesa dell'Arci Confraternita del SS. Rosario
- Chiesa di S. Sebastiano
- Palazzo Portiglia
- Palazzo Ferrari
- Palazzo Filomarino
- Palazzo Dell'Acquila
- Palazzo Madia
- Bosco del Gariglione
- Grotte carsiche di Petilia Policastro
- Grotte di San Demetrio
- Parco Nazionale della Sila
- Visita di Mesoraca
- Visita di Santa Severina
- Visita di Belcastro
Museums
- Nessun Museo segnalato
Events
- Festa di San Sebastiano il 20 gennaio
- Processione del Calvario il secondo venerdì di marzo
- U Mmitu e San Giuseppe il 19 marzo
- Festa di San Francesco da Paola la seconda domenica di maggio
- Festa della Madonna del Rosario la seconda domenica di ottobre
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