Holiday apartment in Amendolara: Coast, nature and history

Amendolara combines the natural area off the coast with a local history spanning from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. Historical points of reference include the Laviola Collection, Byzantine churches, the San Nicola archaeological site and the Castello Normanno. The area stretches from the sea off Amendolara Marina to the western part of the medieval settlement.

Marine protected area off Amendolara Marina

The Secca di Amendolara Regional Marine Park lies in the sea off the coast of Amendolara Marina and the mouth of the Crati River. Secca di Amendolara is designated as the special conservation area ZSC IT9310053.

Laviola Collection and Museum

The Museo archeologico nazionale di Amendolara houses the Laviola Collection. It mainly comprises metal finds and pottery fragments from the Protohistoric period, dating from the 12th to the 8th century BC. The collection takes visitors back to a period long before the medieval settlement of Amendolara.

The Museo archeologico nazionale di Amendolara offers two multimedia information facilities in four languages. Films, commentary and texts present the settlement of the Amendolara area from prehistoric times to the present day. The Museo Archeologico di Amendolara is located in the town’s historic centre, next to the castle and along one side of the main square.

Byzantine churches

The Cappella dell’Annunziata is also known as the Cappella dei Greci. It was built during the Byzantine period between the 9th and 10th centuries and restored in the 16th century.

Despite Baroque alterations, La Chiesa di Santa Maria has preserved the Byzantine style of its dome on the exterior.

San Nicola and Lagaria

The San Nicola archaeological site is associated with Lagaria, an ancient settlement from the 8th century BC. San Nicola preserves the remains of a settlement with a compacted-earth road, along the sides of which rectangular houses stood.

Castello Normanno

Il Castello Normanno stands in the western part of Amendolara’s medieval settlement and overlooks the Straface stream. On one side, it is surrounded by a deep moat that was once filled with water; on the other, by massive walls with tall towers at their ends. During the Hohenstaufen period, Il Castello Normanno served as a residence for Emperor Frederick II.

Arrival by road and rail

To reach Amendolara, the route from the Sibari exit of the A3 SA-RC motorway first follows the SS 534 and then the SS 106 towards Taranto as far as the turn-off for Amendolara. Those planning to travel by car can use the sequence of the exit, SS 534, SS 106 and the turn-off as individual sections of the route to Amendolara.

For travel by train, Amendolara Marina railway station is available, as are the stations in Trebisacce, 10 km away, and Sibari, 25 km away. Of the two alternative stations, Trebisacce is therefore 15 km closer than Sibari.

Other places: Rose, Lago, Sibari, Roseto Capo Spulico, Grisolia, Montegiordano, Acquappesa Cs and Altavilla.

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