The best cycling routes around Amaroni

Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Squillace The cathedral was built at the behest of Count Roger I in the eleventh century to eradicate Greco-Byzantine Christianity and reaffirm the Catholic rite in the region. In 1643, the bell tower was damaged by an earthquake, and later the church was destroyed by other events. It was rebuilt in 1737 by Bishop Michele Abbati and destroyed again by the earthquake of 1783. It was rebuilt by Bishop Nicola Notaris, who consecrated it on May 6, 1798. Text / Source: Wikipedia https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concattedrale_di_Santa_Maria_Assunta_(Squillace)

The Norman Castle of Squillace The Castle of Squillace dominates the village from the highest point of the hill. It was built by the Normans in the second half of the 11th century, at the end of their campaign to conquer Calabria against the Byzantines, who had occupied the region and southern Italy in general for over five centuries. During the Norman period, Squillace was the most important administrative, political, and religious stronghold on the Ionian coast. It was here that Ruggero d'Altavilla donated the lands where the Charterhouse of Serra San Bruno was built to San Bruno di Colonia. The Norman period was certainly the most important for Squillace, which experienced a period of great political-administrative, economic, and religious fervor. The early 13th century is fundamental to the history of Squillace: during this period, the settlement was first enfeoffed under a count and under the rule of a castellan. Under Frederick II, to whom we probably owe the construction of the polygonal tower on the eastern side of the enclosure, the Castrum Squillacii was held by a castellanus non habens terram and ten servients. The situation appears to have been the same in the Angevin era. From 1256 onwards, the castle was occupied by various families: the Lancia, the Monfort, the Del Balzo, and the Marzano, until 1485, when the castle returned to the direct control of Frederick of Aragon, the future King of Naples. In 1494, the castle passed through marriage to the Borgia family, whose marble coat of arms dominates the entrance portal. The Borgias, a very important noble family of Castilian origin, moved to Italy in the 12th century, where they settled in Florence, Perugia, Siena, Rome, and Naples. The marriage established the alliance between Pope Alexander VI and Pope John Paul II. Borgia and Alfonso II of Aragon: Goffredo Borgia, brother of the much more famous Lucrezia, just 13 years old, and Sancha of Aragon, the king's natural daughter, are married. The Borgia family ruled the castle until 1729, when, due to a lack of heirs, it again became part of the royal domain. Squillace was downgraded to Marchesato in 1755 and passed into the hands of the De Gregorio family, who held the castle until 1783, when a violent earthquake shook and destroyed the entire village. Text / Source: il Uoghi di Cassiodoro http://www.iluoghidicassiodoro.it/i-musei/il-castello-normanno-di-squillace/

Norman Castle of Squillace Norman Castle of Squillace The Norman Castle Squillace Castle dominates the panorama from the highest point of the medieval town, watching over the settlement and its surroundings. It was built by the Normans in the second half of the 11th century, at the end of their successful campaign of conquest in Calabria against the Byzantines, who had occupied southern Italy for over five centuries. The Norman period is certainly the most important for Squillace, which experienced a period of great political-administrative, economic, and religious fervor. The walls define the outline of the town, clearly visible from the serpentine roads leading from the beach to the upper part. From inside, there is a spectacular view of the town and the entire gulf. Despite the earthquake that struck Calabria and Squillace in 1783, the castle's structure, its stonework, and the embossed portal bearing the Borgia coat of arms are still clearly visible. The rooms of the small castle museum are very interesting: In the so-called "Warrior's Hall," among various other historical finds, the skeletons of two warriors from the 13th/14th century, discovered during an excavation campaign by the Ecole Française, are on display. Text / Source: turiscalabria.it http://www.turiscalabria.it/website/?lang=de&categoria=/wo/kusten/grune-flagge/&view_type=s&id=189&title=squillace.html

Scolacium Archaeological Park The Scolacium Archaeological Park and the adjacent Antiquarium (on the estate of Baron Mazza, with an adjacent olive mill museum) were built in 1982 in the village of Roccelletta di Borgia (Czech Republic) on a vast area of olive trees. The area includes not only the remains of the 11th-century Norman basilica dedicated to Santa Maria della Roccella, but also the remains of the ancient Roman colony of Scolacium, built in 120 BC on the ruins of the Greek colony of Scylletium. Excavations, which began in 1965, did not reveal any wall structures of the Greek city, but the unearthed abundant pottery and coin material dating back to the 6th century BC suggests a topographical overlap between the two cities. The material discovered is on display in the Antiquarium. The remains of Scolacium's city walls are much more significant: facing the sea is the Roman Forum, a large rectangular area paved with square tiles and surrounded by colonnades (Caesareum, Curia, and a thermal court), which also houses the remains of a small temple, a monumental fountain, and a courthouse. A large number of statues and portraits dating from between the first and third centuries AD come from this area. On the hill behind the Forum is the theater, with a capacity of 3,500 spectators, built between the first and second centuries AD. From the theater scene come several portrait heads from the Julio-Claudian and Flavian periods, as well as two large white marble statues of Togati. Recently, a second-century AD amphitheater, three thermal complexes, a necropolis, and an aqueduct have been identified above the hill. Text / Source: Ministry of Tourism, Territorial Marketing and Mobility https://calabriastraordinaria.it/luoghi/parco-archeologico-di-scolacium-borgia

Piazza Caduti, Soverato Superiore Monument to the Fallen / Memorial to the Fallen, in Piazza Caduti, Soverato Superiore Monument to the Fallen / Memorial to the Fallen, Soverato Superiore Remembrance of the Fallen of the First and Second World War. Corso Roma, 114-116, Soverato Superiore, Catanzaro, Italy

Santicelli Botanical Garden, Soverato The Santicelli Botanical Garden, Soverato With its magnificent view of the Ionian Sea, the garden is home to typical species of the native Mediterranean scrub and exotic species, totaling more than 1,000 specimens. Anti-aircraft emplacements from World War II can also be seen inside; the area was actually used as a sentry post. Text / Source: Terre Ioniche Ionian Calabria https://www.terreioniche.it/place/soverato/visit/it#0

Giardino Botanico Santicelli, Soverato Santicelli Botanical Garden in Soverato: A Green Oasis to Explore The Santicelli Botanical Garden is an enchanting natural setting in the town of Soverato, on the hills above the Gulf of Squillace in Calabria. With breathtaking sea views, this botanical garden is a must-visit for plant lovers, nature enthusiasts, and travelers seeking peace and beauty. Its privileged location, approximately 50 meters above sea level, provides an ideal climate for a wide variety of Mediterranean flora as well as carefully selected exotic species. The Santicelli Botanical Garden is not only a place of exceptional biodiversity but also a center for scientific education and dissemination. Educational trails guide visitors through the over 56,000 square meter garden, where they can admire over a thousand plant specimens. The garden is designed to be accessible and inclusive, allowing everyone, including visitors with disabilities, to explore and enjoy the wonders of nature without barriers. In addition to its botanical richness and unparalleled scenic beauty, the Santicelli Botanical Garden represents an important green space for the Soverato region. It is an oasis of tranquility that promotes awareness of plant species typical of the Mediterranean climate, contributes to the preservation of local biodiversity, and offers an exceptional stopover in the heart of Calabria. Text / Source: Calabria Tourism Editorial Team https://www.turismocalabria.net/blog/giardino-botanico-santicelli-a-soverato-unoasi-verde-da-esplorare/

Statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, Soverato From the City Hall – September 15, 2017 Salita Beato Michele Rua, 88068 Soverato