San Costantino Calabro: Village History, Landscape and Calabrian Cuisine

San Costantino Calabro combines village history, upland landscapes and Calabrian cuisine.

A Reconstruction Based on a Roman Model

After San Costantino Calabro was completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1873, the village was rebuilt further up the mountain. The new streets were laid out at right angles and followed the model of a Roman castrum.

The townscape includes small building blocks and narrow streets. Together with the right-angled street layout, they give the rebuilt village a clearly recognisable spatial structure.

Byzantine Origins and Cenobium

The origins of San Costantino Calabro probably date back to the period of Byzantine rule in Calabria. This began in the early years of the 6th century and ended with the arrival of the Normans.

The first village was probably founded by Basilian monks around a cenobium, that is, a monastery for monks. The monastic connection is therefore part of the early history of San Costantino Calabro.

Contours, Ravines and Agriculture

San Costantino Calabro lies at more than 400 metres above sea level and is characterised by ravines. The surrounding area has numerous natural attractions.

The rural landscape within the municipal area includes olive groves, vineyards, citrus cultivation and arable land, which often extend along the contours of the terrain. Olive groves and vineyards alternate with citrus cultivation and arable land; agriculture remains integrated into the terrain.

Access to the municipal area is via the S.S. 18 state road between Mileto and Vibo Valentia. This provides a specific connection between the municipal area and the two reference points for travelling there.

Archaeological and Architectural Traces

In the hamlet of Ninera there is a necropolis with a Greco-Roman farm.

The remains of Loco di Comerconi, a settlement association established in the 15th century, are also located within the municipal area of San Costantino Calabro. Palazzo Lombardi Comite was built in the period following the earthquake of 1783. The three historical references thus lead from Ninera through the settlement association to a later building.

Pitta Chjina and Regional Dishes

Pitta Chjina is a bread dough baked in a wood-fired oven and filled with tomato sauce, olives, roasted peppers, tuna and anchovies.

At the Sagra della Pitta Chjina, Fileja with tomato sauce and ’Nduja were served. Alongside the filled Pitta Chjina, Fileja and ’Nduja are therefore also among the culinary features associated with San Costantino Calabro.

Public Holiday, Theatre and Sagra

San Costantino Vescovo is celebrated on 21 May as the patron saint of San Costantino Calabro.

The XXXVI edition of the Sancostantinese theatre series is also associated with the town.

The 29th edition of the Sagra della Pitta Chjina was scheduled to take place in San Costantino Calabro on Saturday, 2 August, from 20:30.

Caria, San Cono, Filadelfia, Simbario, Serra San Bruno, Zaccanopoli, Brattiro', Coccorino

For the higher-level travel overview: Vibo Valentia.