Crotone, "The Barn Calabria"

In head the Norman Castle of Santa Severina in Crotone

Crotone, one of the most important sites of Ancient Greece named for the typical cultivation of wheat which is the product bread Cutro, Product De.Co.

I've known these lands under a sky "murfuruso" that in Calabrian dialect means covered; it was only for a short, because the sun has shone splendid in the sky for most of the time I spent there. This dialect term has been used by the writer and consultant art critic, Anna Russano Cotrone, a passionate woman who, in the time spent together, I narrated the history and traditions of this country, because to speak of the territories that you visit, you must live them with his people.

Author of the book "High Crotenese Calabria - Monuments, objects of art, history, people "published by Gangemi publisher, mi ha fatto l’onore di accompagnarmi e farmi da specialissima guida durante un pomeriggio nei giorni di visita in Calabria.

With Anna Russo Cutrone, autrice of "High Crotenese Calabria

1'Day

The first leg of my tour in land Crotonese was the visit to the Norman Castle of Santa Severina in the valley of Neto. A medieval village, thanks to its high altitude allows you to enjoy great views. A military structure from the Byzantine origins surrounded by crenellated walls, oggi sede di un museo contenente reperti archeologici.

Santa Severina – Crotone

Norman Castle of Santa Severina – external

My visit continued to Castle Caccuri, while a vast feudal territory. We reached there after driving features narrow streets of the old villages. Once arrived at the destination I got to the last step to fully enjoy the view from the tower.

Castle Caccuri – Crotone

A lunar landscape made that the polished stone over the centuries by wind, that has turned its walls, creating caves wind.

Cave of Sileni – Serra Grande

It was lunch time. Navigator pointing to the Cave of Sileni, in the Serra Grande. The Sileni were ancient deities goderecce who enjoyed chasing nymphs in caves. A place of peace and silence, a place to meditate and relax. In one of these we had lunch with typical local; a singular cave in the details, as for the spaces created in the walls to keep cool wine bottles.

Cave of Sileni, in the Serra Grande

Inside the Cave of the Sileni – Serra Grande

Coming down from the Serra Grande in a tavern Cuccari I met a friendly group of players broom. I remember when my grandfather Giuseppe passed so the afternoons. I still jealously his Neapolitan playing cards which at the time had given me.

Moments of life in Santa Severina

2'Day

The first stage of the second day of my tour in the hinterland of Crotone was in Park and Archaeological Museum of Capo Colonna. Here stood the ancient temple of Hera Persephone, one of the greatest of. What you see below is the last of 48 columns which originally composed it. I walked a long time in this natural reserve, enjoying the beautiful sea views.

Reserve Park and Archaeological Museum of Capo Colonna

Archaeological Museum of Capo Colonna – remains

Archaeological Museum of Capo Colonna

Afterwards we got in the direction of Le Castella, the famous seaside resort which was filmed in 1965 the film "The armata Brancaleone“. The real beauty of the place, however,, is its origin Aragonese Castle recently renovated. E 'connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, ed attualmente è sede di eventi e rappresentazioni teatrali.

Le Castella, known seaside resort

Le Castella – Rock

In these few days I began to know Calabria, land of great history, land to be discovered and re-evaluate. A special thanks to my dear Martin, my guide Gal Kroton, and Piero Romano of Fattoria San Sebastian.