Soveria Simeri: History, Crafts and Landscape

Historic Town Center on the Ridge

Soveria Simeri combines a historic town center with craft and landscape features that give your trip different points of focus. The historic town center is an agricultural, hilly settlement on a ridge and is dated to the 16th century. The Church of Santa Maria della Visitazione dates from the 17th century. Coins and amphorae from the Greek period have been found in the surrounding countryside. The ancient archaeological remains in Soveria Simeri include the ruins of a castle and a cathedral that is now almost completely in ruins.

The village of Soveria Simeri is said to have been founded at the end of the 16th century by members of the Grande and Gareri families. This traditional account of its foundation complements the visible historical traces and makes the town interesting for travelers who want to view Italian village history not only through individual buildings, but also in the context of the townscape that has developed over time.

Museums and Traditional Crafts

Several museums locate the cultural themes at specific addresses: the Museo civico is located on Via A. Pallavicino, the Museo attrezzi contadini on Contrada Corticello, and the Museo arte naif Giuseppe Zungrone on Via f.lli Bandiera.

Local crafts also shape the character of Soveria Simeri. The town has three workshops for mouth-blown glass, where guest gifts, various decorative items and Christmas decorations are produced. The traditional working of wrought iron was revived in Soveria Simeri by two craft workshops. Glass and wrought iron thus represent different forms of local production.

River Landscape and Views

An old mill stands in the walking area along the Sìmeri River. There is also a saltwater spring called “Salinella” in the area by the river. Both places are specific landscape features around Soveria Simeri and complement the hilly character of the historic center with a water-related aspect.

In the hamlet of Scaledi, there is a viewpoint overlooking the Ionian Sea and the Gulf of Squillace.

Festivals Throughout the Year

The Festa Patronale is associated with August 6 and 7, as well as a celebration in honor of Saint Donato. The Santa Lucia festival is associated with December 13 and the making of characteristic hot-air balloons from tissue paper. “Soveria in Festa” includes festivals in July and August, traditional sagra events, as well as theatrical and cultural events.

When traveling by car, the indicated route from the A3 motorway leads via the Lamezia Terme exit, the SS 280, the SS 106 toward Taranto, the La Petrizia turnoff and the SP 11 to Soveria Simeri.

More Places for Trip Planning

Badolato, Gizzeria, Sellia Marina, Gimigliano, Torre Di Ruggiero, Martirano, Falerna and Chiaravalle Centrale

For the higher-level travel overview: Catanzaro.