PAOLA
Paola is situated on the Tyrrhenian coast
near to Cosenza and is an important religious tourist destination
of Calabria.
History
The centre was active since the Hellenistic era and later
became an important stop-off point along Via Popilia which
linked Capua to Reggio Calabria.
Various hypogeum churches were founded on its territory during
the Byzantine era, and the centre continued to take on more
importance, making it an object of Saracen conquest; having
been allocated in Sicily since the IX century.
Francesco d’Alessio, founder of the Minimi Order was
born here. He was better known as San Francesco of Paola (1416-1507),
patron saint of Calabria. Following a life spent as a hermit,
which saw him forever taking the part of the weak, Francesco
was proclaimed Saint on 1st May 1519.
From this moment on, the centre changed aspect and became
enriched with new churches and monastic buildings, characterising
Paola as one of the main religious centres in the region.
In 1555, Paola was besieged and devastated by the Turks, and
following this event, was fortified under the wishes of the
Spinelli family, who stayed in power uninterruptedly from
1496 to end of feudalism (1806).
On 24th July 1943, Paolo suffered aerial bombing by Anglo-American
alliance troops, who destroyed part of the historical centre.
A visit to the City
Paola is among the main destinations of religious tourism
in Calabria, but is capable of also offering services in the
seaside tourism sector.
Entering through Porta San Francesco, one can immediately
admire the Torre dell’Orologio (Clock tower) to the
right, adjacent to where the façade of the Montevergine
Church stands out. It was built on the place where a painting
of the Black Madonna was found. Not too far from here, one
can also visit San Franceschiello, birthplace of San Francesco
of Paola.
Moving to the left, Corso Garibaldi leads to the SS. Rosario
Church with the Collegio desi Gesuiti annexed to it. Nearby,
one can also visit the San Giacomo Church, rebuilt in a Neo-Classical
style.
The Duomo, positioned at the top of a beautiful flight of
steps, is dedicated to SS. Annunziata and preserves Baroque
altars and noteworthy paintings from the Neapolitan school,
in its interior.
The Fontana dei Sette Canali (Fountain of Seven Channels)
stands out for its beauty in the City. It is the work of craftsmen
from the XVI century.
The Sanctuary, dedicated to the patron Saint of Calabria,
is located in the higher part of Paola and is a destination
of important pilgrimage. Next to the sanctuary one can visit
the Collegio dei Frati Minimi, which is linked to it by a
bridge.
Wandering outside the centre, one can visit the following
noteworthy buildings: the S. Maria di Valle Josaphat Monastery,
founded during the first years of the XII century and the
San Michele Arcangelo Church (XI century).
Place of interest
- Castello Normanno-Aragonese
- Chiesa della SS. Annunziata ('400)
- Chiesa della Madonna di Montevergine
- Chiesa del SS. Rosario ('600)
- Chiesa dell'Addolorata
- Convento e Chiesa di S. Agostino
- Chiesa della Madonna del Rosario
- Chiesa di S. Giacomo Minore
- San Franceschiello (Casa Natale del Santo)
- Collegio dei Gesuiti
- Chiesa di San Giacomo
- Chiesetta Madonna delle Grazie
- Fontana dei Sette Canali (XVI sec.)
- I Pisciariddi (1739)
- Palazzo Scorza
- Porta S. Francesco ('600)
- Santuario di San Francesco
- Monastero di S. Maria di Valle Josaphat (XI sec.)
- Marina di Paola
- Torre del Soffio (1530)
- Chiesa Madonna del Carmine
- Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo (XI sec.)
Museums
- Nessun Museo segnalato
Events
- La Befana il 6 gennaio
- Carnevale di Paola
- Festa della donna l'8 marzo
- Settimana Santa
- Festa di San Francesco di Paola il 2 aprile
- Festa di San Francesco il 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 aprile
- Estate paolana in luglio e agosto: sagre, spettacoli di
artisti di strada
- Festa della Madonna del Carmine il 16 luglio
- "A Vulata" il 21 luglio
- Festa dell'Assunta il 15 agosto
- Madonna di Montevergine il 6, 7, e 8 settembre
- Festa di San Martino l'11 novembre
- Festa dell'Immacolata l'8 dicembre
- Festa di Santa Lucia il 13 dicembre
- Natale di Paola
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