Simeri: Between Grecìa, Grottos and Byzantine Traces

Simeri lies on a rocky spur beside the Simeri River of the same name. As the older of the two urban settlement areas of Simeri Crichi, the town has medieval origins. The rocky spur provides the spatial setting for churches, districts and remnants of fortifications, where Simeri’s various historical layers emerge.

Churches and historical landmarks

The Convento dei Cappuccini brings together foundation history and monastic architecture: the convent was founded in 1594 and dedicated to Santa Maria degli Angeli. It had 13 cells and a church. The convent also includes a cloister with an ornate monumental fountain, an underground cistern, remains of the church altar, two exterior cisterns and a well.

The religious buildings in the Grecìa district also tell of Simeri’s past. The Chiesetta di San Leone was one of five parish churches in Simeri’s Grecìa district and probably had Byzantine origins. Its ruins survive on at least three sides. The Chiesa di San Fantino was the only surviving parish church of ancient Grecìa in Simeri. The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta houses the mortal remains of the holy martyr Innocenzo in an intricately crafted urn.

Grecìa and the Grottos

Simeri’s ancient Byzantine district of Grecìa lies on a lower terrace. A steep path through the derelict district leads to the three rock cavities known as the Grotte dei Santi. For visitors interested in unusual historical sites, this section combines the topography of the old district with a route that appears demanding.

The Grotte di San Bartolomeo preserve stone benches and stone resting places used as beds. They also contain storage niches and lamp niches carved into the rock, as well as the Achiropita Theotokos icon and depictions of the Evangelists.

Byzantine Castle and Jewish Heritage

The ruins of the Castello Bizantino lie in the immediate surroundings of Simeri. Simeri’s Byzantine castle was built around the 10th to 11th century. Its remains include a slightly inclined section of wall in the southwest and a round tower that tapers toward the top. The Castello stood on a promontory overlooking the coastal plain below.

A Jewish marriage contract from 1439 is associated with Simeri’s Giudecca. The ruins of the S. Infantino chapel are considered one of the surviving architectural traces of Simeri’s former Jewish district. In Simeri, therefore, you encounter not only Byzantine and ecclesiastical landmarks but also traces of the town’s Jewish history.

Surroundings Between Culture and Coast

The surroundings of Simeri include the Palazzo Ferrari - de Riso as a palace, the Museo delle Carrozze as a museum, the Palazzo Fazzari as another palace and the Panorama dal Monte Tiriolo viewpoint. The surrounding landscape also includes Spiaggia di Ruggero, Spiaggia di Maringoli and Spiaggia di Catanzaro Lido; all three are beaches.

Choosing accommodation therefore depends on the emphasis you want to place on each aspect: in historic Simeri, the churches and Grecìa are the main focus. The ruins of the Castello Bizantino are in the immediate surroundings; the viewpoint and beaches are also part of the area around Simeri. If you would like to combine culture and landscape, this combination provides a clear basis for planning your own trip.

For more places to include in your travel planning, see San Floro, Maida, Gasperina, Davoli, Chiaravalle Centrale, Soverato Marina, La Petrizia and Sellia Marina.

For the broader travel overview: Catanzaro.