Martirano: Church Art and History in the Lower Savuto Valley

Martirano between Monte Reventino and the Savuto Valley

Martirano is located on the foothills of Monte Reventino in the lower Savuto Valley. The town’s setting combines the mountain landscape of Monte Reventino with the Savuto Valley. For geographical orientation, the foothills and the valley are therefore the two key reference points.

Church Art and Religious Heritage

The Chiesa del SS. Rosario has a single-nave layout with side altars. Its Baroque stucco work, pilasters, and capitals shape the interior; above them is a painted wooden barrel vault. At the main entrance there is a stone portal dated to 1700. Those interested in church art can look here from the layout of the interior and the Baroque details to the portal and its date.

The History of the Diocese, Castle, and Via Popilia

On March 24, 1058, Roberto il Guiscardo founded the Diocese of Martirano through a papal bull issued by Stephen IX. During the regency of Roger II, an imposing castle fortress was built in Martirano, dominating the Savuto Valley. During the Angevin period, Martirano Castle became a prison where the king’s enemies were confined. The Roman Via Popilia also passed through Martirano on its route from Capua to Reggio Calabria.

The castle thus had a different function during the Angevin period than it did when it was built. Alongside the ecclesiastical foundation and the medieval fortress, the route of the Roman road is also part of the town’s history.

Museum, Objects, and Local Tradition

Since 2019, the San Paolo VI Museum has been housed in the Immacolata Church in Martirano. It displays part of the artistic heritage as well as sacred and liturgical furnishings from the former Diocese of Martirano. This means that visitors interested in culture can find sacred art and liturgical objects in the same museum collection.

Martirano is also home to a wooden and glass display case dating from between 1800 and 1899. It is attributed to a Calabrian workshop and bears the coat of arms of the De Gattis De Medici family. The painting San Francesco d’Assisi probably came to Martirano thanks to Michelangelo Veraldi di Taverna. He was bishop of the Diocese of Martirano from 1693 to 1702. Martirano’s patronal feast is dedicated to Saint Sebastian.

Historic Sites in the Surrounding Area

Several historic buildings are located around Martirano. These include Villa Pellico, a palace, and Castello Normanno Nicastro, a castle. Piazzetta San Nicola, a palace, and Palazzo Nicotera, a palace, are also located in the surrounding area.

Beaches in the Wider Surrounding Region

Spiaggia di Falerna Scalo, a beach, is located in the wider surrounding region of Martirano. Also located there are Hang Loose Beach, a beach, Spiaggia di Gizzeria Lido, a beach, and Spiaggia di Marinella, a beach. The regional scope therefore extends beyond the historic sites to four destinations explicitly identified as beaches.

More Places for Your Travel Planning

Castagna, Isca Sullo Ionio, Zagarise, Satriano, Girifalco, Botricello, Curinga and Carlopoli

Go to the main travel overview: Catanzaro.