Holiday apartment in Nocera Terinese: history, landscape and culinary delights

Nocera Terinese lies on the slopes of Monte Reventino and offers a sweeping viewpoint over the Savuto Valley. The historic settlement is located at the confluence of the valleys of the Grande and Rivale streams. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Nocera Terinese can plan to make the town a destination for days spent enjoying landscapes, local history and regional specialities.

Between valleys and the historic centre

The bridge known as “La Ponta” connects the Rione Motta district with the rest of the historic centre. Next to Santa Maria della Pietà stands a medieval arch in the Doric style made of tuff. The portal of Palazzo Procida dates from the 15th century. Different periods and architectural styles therefore stand closely side by side in the townscape.

Piano della Tirena and older traces

The Piano della Tirena area is a site of approximately 30 hectares near the sea, between the Savuto River to the north and the Grande River to the south. Piano della Tirena is associated with an ancient Greek-Roman-Byzantine settlement; protected ruins of the ancient city of Temesa, also known as Tempsa or Noukria, are located there. The Capuchin monastery was built in 1581 on the remains of a Norman castle. In 1955, the entire monastery complex of San Francesco was demolished, while the church remained abandoned.

Churches with distinctive details

The Chiesa di San Martino is a small, simple church dating from the 15th century. The Chiesa di San Francesco formerly belonged to the monastery of the Friars Minor Conventual and has Renaissance-style tuff altars. The central altar of the Annunziata is made of green marble and is designated a national monument. In the niche of the Annunziata stands a wooden Pietà from 1600 depicting Our Lady of Sorrows with the dead Christ on her lap. The wooden portal of the Chiesa di Santa Maria bears reliefs from popular Renaissance art, including the figure of the siren Ligea. Santa Maria della Pietà is considered the oldest church in Nocera Terinese and evidence that the first inhabited core of present-day Nocera Terinese was located there.

Religious tradition on Holy Saturday

The Vattienti ritual takes place during the procession of Our Lady of Sorrows and the dead Christ on Holy Saturday. It is performed with two ritual instruments, the thistle and the rose. The earliest reports of the ritual date back to the 17th century. The Madonna is placed at the foot of the altar in a simple wooden structure called “Sipurcu” – grave – and surrounded by flowers and the so-called “piatti”.

Cipolla Rossa and DOC wines

Nocera Terinese is one of the most important growing centres for Calabria’s Cipolla Rossa di Tropea PGI. Esteemed DOC wines are produced in the Nocera Terinese area from high-quality grape varieties. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether local history, landscapes or regional products should be the focus of your trip.

More places for planning your trip

More places for planning your trip: Marina Di Mandatoriccio, Rose, Carolei, Altavilla, San Benedetto Ullano, Taverna, Aieta and Nocara.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cosenza.