Discover Santa Severina: History, Landscapes and Local Wines

Santa Severina on the Rocky Promontory

Santa Severina lies on a rocky promontory amid a broad valley. The town was probably founded by the Oenotrians, an Italic people who lived in the area before Greek colonization. Santa Severina was formerly known as Siberene. Your exploration therefore begins with a place name and a founding history that reach far back.

Under Byzantine rule, Santa Severina became an important religious center and was a metropolitan see directly dependent on Byzantium. Santa Severina is also the birthplace of Pope Zachary, who was pope from 741 to 752. The connection between Byzantine religious history and papal biography opens up two distinct cultural and historical perspectives on Santa Severina.

Cathedral, Baptistery and Diocesan Museum

The Concattedrale di Sant'Anastasia was built between 1274 and 1295. It preserves the old portal of the Stefanuzia building and contains an ambo made of Calabrian marble. The central marble panel depicts Jesus among the teachers of the law.

The Diocesan Museum of Santa Severina was established in 1998 in the archbishop's palace next to the cathedral and is located opposite the castle. The same historic building also houses the Diocesan Historical Library and the Diocesan Historical Archive.

The Diocesan Museum primarily displays historical and art-historical artifacts from the cathedral and the bishop's see, dating from the early Middle Ages to the 20th century. The museum thus combines ecclesiastical history and art history across several eras.

The Baptistery of Santa Severina dates from the period between the 7th and 9th centuries AD and was built in the Byzantine style. It contains eight reused granite columns. It also houses an almost intact 14th-century depiction of the penitent Saint Jerome. The columns and the subject of the painting add specific details to the architectural context.

Landscape Around Monte Fuscaldo

The summit of nearby Monte Fuscaldo offers views of the Sila Plateau and Santa Severina.

The paths around the summit of nearby Monte Fuscaldo pass through gorge-like valleys. Rare birds of prey live there, including the Egyptian vulture, the Eurasian eagle-owl and the red kite. This creates a different focus for nature enthusiasts than the religious buildings and museums.

One route follows an old mule track and is equipped with information panels and designated rest areas.

Wine and Typical Local Products

The Enoteca Comunale Valle del Neto in the Castello di Santa Severina offers tastings by prior reservation. In the Castello di Santa Severina, it also presents wineries whose wine-growing areas are touched by the legendary Neto River. The connection with the river broadens the culinary perspective on the wine-growing areas along the Neto.

The Feast of Saint Anastasia includes food stalls where typical local products can be sampled.

Further Destinations

More destinations for planning your trip: Belvedere Di Spinello, San Nicola Dell'alto, Torretta, Marina Di Strongoli, Cutro, Isola Di Capo Rizzuto, Petilia Policastro, Cirò Marina

To the higher-level travel overview: Crotone.