Discover Calopezzati: Castle, Churches, Fountains and Nature

Among the Castle, Churches and Village History

The historic village of Calopezzati lies on one of the last hills before the plain and the sea. Old fountains in picturesque, characteristic locations, sections of medieval walls and sacred art shape the appearance of the village.

Castello Giannone and Sacred Art

At Castello Giannone, architectural history and individual art treasures come together. Under Norman rule, the complex developed from a Byzantine rock fortification into a fortification with a square layout, and under the Hohenstaufens it became a proper castle. The Castello houses a valuable library; its courtyard features a visible late Gothic bifora dating from the 15th century.

The parish church dedicated to the Madonna has three naves. The high altar features an altarpiece of the Madonna Achiropita painted in 1728. Its Rosary Chapel contains a late-17th-century painting from the Neapolitan school, from the workshop of Solimena. A stone baptismal font in the mother church dates from the 17th century, as indicated by the coat of arms of the Sambiase family.

The Church of Madonna Addolorata is attached to Castello Giannone. It has a gilded wooden altarpiece regarded as one of the purest examples of Rococo art in Calabria. On the wall facing the square, there is a mosaic depicting Saint Christopher.

Monasteries, Fortifications and Older Traces

Opposite the Castello stands the Convento dei Riformati on a hill outside the walls. It was entrusted to the Friars Minor of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Reformati, and dedicated to Santa Maria del Rimedio. The San Nicola Monastery was founded around the 9th century by monks of the Greek rite; some of its remains can be found in the village of Girdinello. A rock laura near Girdinello is associated with the hermitic tradition that shaped the entire Rossanese area between the 7th and 9th centuries.

Santa Maria Assunta dates from the 15th to the 16th century. Preserved sections of Calopezzati’s medieval fortification wall can be found along today’s Via Le Murate. Remains of a Roman villa rustica were discovered in the Calopezzati area at the Gadice site. The Fontana di Scrimugno stands on the former site of the Basilian Monastery of San Nicola.

Landscape Between the Hill and the River Mouth

The protected Dune di Camigliano area covers 88 hectares and includes Calopezzati. The Dune di Camigliano is a Site of Community Importance within the municipality of Calopezzati, at the mouth of the Acquaniti River. This clearly defined natural area complements the village’s historic character and offers another focus for planning your trip.

Choose a Holiday Apartment in Calopezzati Based on Your Interests

A walk through the lanes of Calopezzati is considered an opportunity to experience the character of the village. During the Christmas season, the living nativity scene is regarded as a deeply rooted tradition: the village is transformed into an open-air theatre, where traditional crafts are demonstrated in its characteristic workshops. When choosing a holiday apartment in Calopezzati, you can weigh these highlights against each other: the castle, churches and traces of monasteries are ideal for a stay focused on cultural history, while the Dune di Camigliano and the area around the Acquaniti River put the natural landscape at the forefront.

Discover More Places

More places for planning your trip: Cantinella, Marano Marchesato, Acquappesa Cs, Altavilla, San Nicola Arcella, Malito, Maierà and Belmonte Calabro.

To the overarching travel overview: Cosenza.