Cosoleto between Aspromonte, History and Olive Groves

Cosoleto lies on the northern foothills of the Aspromonte massif. The town is situated at an elevated position among olive groves, overlooking the Gioia Tauro plain. The area includes extensive woodland with beech trees, holm oaks, firs and larches. Here, mountain scenery, cultivated landscapes and expansive views come together.

Nature, Olives and Trails

Cosoleto is one of the 37 municipalities in the Aspromonte National Park. The Gole del Vallone del Cervo are a special natural area: they are of national importance and have scientific, geotourism and aesthetic significance. Oil is produced from Cosoleto’s centuries-old olive trees, which yield the indigenous Sinopolese and Ottobratico varieties.

A cultural highlight is the Museo delle Carrozze – Marchesi Taccone di Sitizano. It displays Italian and French carriages from the 19th and 20th centuries. Historically, it was housed in the former stables in the immediate vicinity of the Marchesi Taccone residence.

Local History and Religious Buildings

Greek was spoken in Cosoleto until the 16th century. The earthquake of 1783 destroyed the old borgo of Cosoleto, the castle, the monastery and the Church of San Nicolò, reducing them to rubble. In 1806, Cosoleto was rebuilt in a safer location on the site of the present-day town centre.

Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of Cosoleto’s two parish churches and has ancient origins. The second parish church is located in the hamlet of Sitizano and is dedicated to Santa Domenica. The Chiesa di Santa Domenica was rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake and restored in the 1930s and 1940s. It was built in the Neo-Renaissance style and preserves a marble holy-water stoup, a painting of Saint Joseph, the coat of arms of the Marchesi Taccone and frescoes in the presbytery.

Piazza Italia is home to the monument to the fallen of the First World War, created by the sculptor Barca in 1925. The ancient fountain, built in 1899 in the Neoclassical style, also stands there.

Activities and Religious Tradition

The Sentiero del Brigante can be walked in both directions. Some alternative sections can also be covered on horseback or by mountain bike. This gives visitors different ways to experience the landscape actively.

A specific example of the religious tradition is the Festa di San Sebastiano, the municipality’s patronal festival. It was celebrated in Cosoleto on 20 January 2024 with a religious service in the church of Maria SS delle Grazie. In Acquaro, the Church of San Rocco was built between 1926 and 1932 and elevated to the status of a sanctuary in 1956. The sanctuary contains murals depicting scenes from the life of Saint Roch.

You can choose a hotel in Cosoleto according to your interests: religious buildings and local history, the landscape and regional agriculture, or hiking, horse riding and mountain-bike sections. In this way, your choice of accommodation remains closely connected to how you wish to experience the town and its surroundings.

Discover More Destinations

If you are planning your trip beyond Cosoleto, you can also explore Bruzzano Zeffirio, Gambarie, Oliveto, Marina di San Lorenzo, Santa Domenica, Bivongi, Taureana and Riace Marina.

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