Cantinella: History, Byzantine Tradition and Calabrian Cuisine

A Place Between History and Regional Ways of Life

Cantinella combines historical traces, Greek-Byzantine traditions and Calabrian culinary culture. In the inhabited town centre, the use of agricultural resources is still connected to an important transport route, as it was in antiquity. The town's themes therefore range from agricultural use along the transport route to communal festivals. The town centre provides the tangible starting point for bringing agriculture, transport and history together.

Ancient Traces and Castello San Mauro

Excavations in Cantinella examined a settlement context that was probably located along a transport route connected to the Roman city of Copiae.

A prominent focal point is Castello San Mauro. Bernardino Sanseverino had it built in 1515 on the remains of an ancient medieval monastery. In autumn 1535, Emperor Charles V was accommodated at Castello San Mauro. The building history and this historical event give the castle a clearly tangible significance for engaging with Cantinella's past. The construction of the castle and the emperor's stay belong to different historical periods.

Greek-Byzantine Traditions

Castello San Mauro is located in the Cantinella district within the larger protected area of Cozzo San Mauro. The Church of San Mauro in Cantinella is the only church of the Greek-Byzantine rite in Corigliano-Rossano. The Parish of S. Mauro was consecrated in 1963. In Cantinella, you therefore encounter both Castello San Mauro within the protected area of Cozzo San Mauro and a religious tradition of the Greek-Byzantine rite.

Cantinella has preserved the traditions of the Arbëreshë communities unchanged to this day. In the Mandria del Forno district of Cantinella, there is also a Greek-Byzantine place of worship dedicated to Sant’Anna. Alongside San Mauro, Sant’Anna is therefore also present in the town's religious landscape.

Events Featuring Art and Community

The Cantinella Beer Fest programme included guided tours of the Church of San Mauro and a demonstration of spontaneous icon painting. Giovanni Piccirillo explained the techniques and symbolism of Byzantine art. The Festa della Pasta has by now become an established community event in Cantinella. Both events demonstrate different connections between community, culture and regional expression. The Beer Fest programme connects the church site with an artistic demonstration, while the Festa della Pasta has its own communal character.

Calabrian Cuisine in Cantinella

Dishes from Calabrian cuisine were sampled at the Festa della Pasta. The Cantinella Beer Fest programme also included a barbecue featuring products sourced exclusively from the local area. In this way, Cantinella combines history, religion and Calabrian cuisine.

More Places for Travel Planning

Belmonte Calabro, Corigliano Calabro, Torricella, Tessano, Mormanno, Vaccarizzo, Tarsia, Aieta

For the higher-level travel overview: Cosenza.