Calopezzati – Castello Giannone, Churches and Village Fountains

Calopezzati is a historic village situated on one of the last hills before the plain and the sea. Its character stems from the combination of a castle, churches, medieval traces, old fountains and a protected dune landscape. This gives you a destination where cultural history and the natural environment can be explored through specific places.

Castello Giannone and Sacred Art

Castello Giannone developed from a Byzantine rock fortification under Norman rule, initially becoming a square-plan defensive structure and later, under the Hohenstaufens, a proper castle. Today, Castello Giannone houses a valuable library. A late Gothic bifora dating from the 15th century is still visible in its courtyard. Opposite Castello Giannone stands the Convento dei Riformati on a hill outside the walls.

The parish church dedicated to the Madonna has three naves. Its high altar features an altarpiece of the Madonna Achiropita painted in 1728. The parish church's Rosary Chapel contains a late-17th-century painting from the Neapolitan school, from the workshop of Solimena. The stone baptismal font in the mother church dates from the 17th century, as indicated by the coat of arms of the Sambiase family. The Church of Madonna Addolorata is attached to Castello Giannone. Its gilded wooden altarpiece is considered one of the finest examples of Rococo art in Calabria. A mosaic depicting Saint Christopher can also be found on a wall facing the square.

Monasteries, Walls and Ancient Traces

The Monastery of San Nicola was founded around the 9th century by monks of the Greek rite. Some remains of the monastery survive in the hamlet of Girdinello. Near Girdinello, a rock laura associated with the eremitic tradition that shaped the entire Rossanese area between the 7th and 9th centuries has been identified. The Convento dei Riformati was transferred to the Friars Minor of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Reformists, and dedicated to Santa Maria del Rimedio. Santa Maria Assunta dates from the 15th to the 16th century.

Along today's Via Le Murate, sections of Calopezzati's medieval defensive wall have been preserved. Remains of a Roman villa rustica were found in the Calopezzati area, at the Gadice site. The Fontana di Scrimugno stands on the former site of the Basilian Monastery of San Nicola.

Dune Landscape and Village Streets

The protected Dune di Camigliano area covers 88 hectares and includes Calopezzati. The Dune di Camigliano is a Site of Community Importance within the municipality of Calopezzati, at the mouth of the Acquaniti River.

Calopezzati is also characterized by numerous old fountains, often situated in picturesque and distinctive locations. A walk through the lanes of Calopezzati is considered an opportunity to experience the character of the village.

Living Tradition at Christmas

The living nativity scene held at Christmas is considered a firmly rooted tradition in Calopezzati; during the event, the village is transformed into an open-air theater. The living nativity scene includes traditional crafts being practiced in the workshops.

Discover More Places

If you would like to continue planning your trip through Calabria, you can also find Fiumefreddo Bruzio, Rose, Paola, Marina Di Sibari, Spezzano Della Sila, San Donato Di Ninea, Fuscaldo and Oriolo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cosenza.