Cosenza: Guide, Hotels, Map & Photos
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EUR 60 - 120 Vescovo Rosso
 Located just 800 metres from Cosenza Bus Station, Vescovo Rosso is a modern hotel offering rooms with air conditioning, Wi-Fi access and Sky TV.
Each… MoreEUR 65 - 110 Royal Hotel
 Hotel Royal offers modern accommodation with Wi-Fi access. It is right in the heart of Cosenza, a 2-minute walk from the main street Corso Mazzini and… MoreEUR 95 - 180 Link Hotel
 The newly built Link Hotel is located near the A3-motorway exit, and provides modern furnishings, a welcoming bar and restaurant, and quick access to … MoreEUR 55 - 119 Home Club Suite Hotel
 Home Club Residence is located in the city centre, 100 metres from Corso Mazzini, the main shopping street in Cosenza, and right by the brand-new Open… More | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cosenza: Guide
Cosenza is a town and comune in the Calabria region of southern Italy, on the Crati River. It is the capital of Province of Cosenza|Cosenza province.
Geography
The town stands 238 m above sea level at the confluence of the Busento and Crati rivers in an intermontane valley between the Sila and the coastal range of mountains. The old town, overshadowed by its castle, descends to the River Crati, whereas the growing modern city lies to the north, beyond the Busento, on level ground. The historic city centre is crossed by the winding Corso Telesio.
History
Origins
Cosenza, the ancient capital of the Italic tribe of the Bruttii, was a bulwark of the Italic people against the Hellenic influences of the Ionians. Over the centuries Cosenza maintained a distinctive feature which marked it out among the inner cities of the region. Later, under the Emperor Augustus, Cosenza became an important halting place along the via Popilia, the Roman route which connected Calabria with Sicily. During the same period the town benefited some municipal privileges, although it was a colony. Cosenza belonged to the III Region of the Western Roman Empire until its fall, therefore its destiny was strictly connected with the history of Rome.
Legend of King Alaric
In 410, the town was besieged by Alaric I, king of the Visigoths, but it escaped devastation thanks to the king's sudden death, probably caused by malaria. The story tells that, according to their habits, the invaders diverted the flow of the river Busento, buried the king in its riverbed and later returned the river to its original path. This legendary event, which was also sung by the German poet August von Platen, originated the myth of a fabulous treasure, booty of Alaric's raids and buried along with him.
Norman, Hohenstaufen and Angevin period
Bitterly fought for by the Saracens and the Lombards, the town was destroyed and then rebuilt around 988; it was then ravaged once again at the beginning of the 11th century. In the attempt to escape the devastation, the population left the town and took shelter on the surrounding hills where they built some small suburbs (which are still denominated Casali). During the first half of the same century Calabria became a feudal dukedom of the Normans, with Cosenza as its capital.
The town soon rebelled against the domination of Roger Guiscard and was then captured after a long siege. The town took part in the conquest of the Holy Sepulchre with its crusaders led by the Archbishop Pietro. Cosenza's archdiocese was one of the most ancient of the region, its foundation dating back to the 6th century AD; it maintained its importance over the ages and counted more than 130 parishes. Subsequently, underthe Hohenstaufen domination, the town became the seat of the Court of Calabria (Curia Generale). The Emperor Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II had a particular interest in the town; he promoted the planning of new buildings and fostered economic activities, organising an important annual fair.
The Cathedral was rebuilt and then consecrated in 1222; in 1242 his Frederick's son Henry (VII) of Germany|Henry was buried there. Subsequently, Cosenza bitterly fought against the House of Anjou|Angevin domination supported by the clergy. While the uprising spread through the valley of the Crati river, the town was involved in the ups and downs of the fight between the Angevins and the Aragonese. In 1432 the King Louis III of Anjou settled in the Castle with his wife Margaret of Savoy. When she died untimely, in 1434, she was buried in the Cathedral.
The Norman, Swabian and Angevin period
Bitterly fought for by the Saracens and the Longobards the town was destroyed and
then rebuilt around 988; it was then ravaged once again at the beginning of the XI
century. In the attempt to escape the devastation, the population left the town and
took shelter on the surrounding hills where they built some small suburbs (which are
still denominated Casali).
During the first half of the same century Calabria became a dukedom of the Normans
and Cosenza was its capital. The town soon rebelled against the domination of
Roger the Guiscard and it was then taken out after a long siege.
The town took part in the conquest of the Holy Sepulchre with its crusaders led by the
Archbishop Pietro. Cosenza's archdiocese was one of the most ancient of the region,
its foundation dates back to the VI century a.D.; it maintained its importance over the
ages and counted more than 130 parishes.
Il Castello Svevo
Subsequently, under the
Swabian domination, the town
became the seat of the Court of
Calabria (Curia Generale). The
Emperor Frederick II had a
particular interest in the town;
he continued major building
work in the town, promoted the
planning of new buildings and
fostered economic activities,
organising an important annual
fair.
The Cathedral was rebuilt
and then consecrated in
1222; in 1242 his son
Henry was buried there.
Il Duomo
Subsequently, Cosenza bitterly fought against the Angevin domination supported by
the clergy. While the uprising spread through the valley of the Crati river, the town
was involved in the ups and downs of the fight between the Angevins and the
Aragonese.
In 1432 the wise King Louis III of Anjou settled in the Castle with his wife Margaret of
Savoy. When she died untimely, in 1434, she was buried in the Cathedral.
The Spanish domination
Once the Spanish conquered the reign, Cosenza was occupied by the Spanish army
led by the Great Captain Consalvo de Cordoba (1500). The town tried in vain to rebel
against them. It was exactly during the XVI century that Cosenza experienced a
period of great richness and expansion and it became seat of the Viceroy of Calabria.
At the same time its cultural importance grew thanks to the foundation of the
Accademia Cosentina; among its most renowned members there were Bernardino
Telesio, Aulo Gianni Parrasio, the Martirano brothers, Antonio Serra and other
outstanding talents who gave great contribution to the fertile intellectual activity of the
town.
In 1707 the Austrian succeeded to the Spanish, and in 1799, after the proclamation
of the republic - which was however short-lived - and a vain resistance, the town was
finally occupied by Cardinal Ruffo’s Lazzari; Cardinal Ruffo was native of the
province of Cosenza.
From the French occupation until today
From 1806 to 1815 the name of the town was often mentioned in the chronicles of
the South of Italy thanks to the fierce, brave and unequal struggle against the French
domination. Cruel suppressions characterised that gloomy period and in 1813 the
town, which was also cradle of the Carbonari secret societies, saw the bloodshed of
the first martyrs of independence.
The riots of 1821 and 1837 heralded the Risorgimento. They were followed by the
uprising of 15th March 1844, which reached its climax with the “noble folly” of the
Bandiera Brothers, who were executed together with some of their followers in the
Vallone di Rovito in Cosenza. Some months after the rapid and overwhelming heroic
deeds of Garibaldi’s troops in Calabria, in 1860 the plebiscite proclaimed the
annexation of Calabria to the new Kingdom of Italy.
Nowadays Cosenza is a town of more than 76.000 inhabitants with a remarkable
importance from a cultural viewpoint. In the latest years - thanks to the renovation
and better exploitation of the historical heritage - cultural activities have been
considerably enhanced. Consequently, Cosenza is now a reference point non only
for Calabria, but also for other regions.
Modern Cosenza
Visiting Cosenza - Main Sights
Our tour starts from Piazza Tommaso Campanella, where there is the church of San Domenico, which was founded in 1448. The church has a pointed arch vestibule and two Renaissance chapels, a square apse with a pointed arch double lancet window and the remains of the holy arch, though the most interesting element is the wonderful rose window made up of 16 tuff little columns. The wooden portal (1614) shows intaglio with floreal motifs, figures of saints and coats of arms.
Inside the church, there are works of art by A. Granata, of Cosenza, which date to the end of the eighteenth century: Santa Rosa, Santa Caterina, San Ludovico, San Giacinto and San Domenico.
The high altar is made of polychrome marble and it dates back to 1767. In the transept there is a Deposizione and a San Vincenzo Ferreri (end of 1700), whose author is anonymous. The sacristy is noteworthy for its ribbed vault, a double lancet window with a narrow arch and a wooden choir created in 1635.
In the Cappella of San Matteo there is the precious altar with the statue of the Madonna della Febbre. In the Oratorio del Rosario there is a decorated and carved wooden ceiling (1600). In the middle of the oratory there are four paintings: Gesù tra i dottori, Natività, Morte di Maria, Circoncisione; two paintings are placed on each side of the holy arch: Angelo Annunziante and Annunziata. On the left wall you can see the Visitazione, and between the large windows there are wooden framed frescoes: Natività, Presentazione al Tempio, Gesù tra i dottori, Gesù nell’orto; on the right side of the room: Crocifissione, Resurrezione, Trasfigurazione, Discesa dello Spirito Santo, Assunzione. On the choir is placed a carved and painted wooden organ which date to 1700, and on the walls there are also some wooden stalls and a wooden pulpit belonging to the same period. On both sides of the holy arch there are two wooden statues representing San Tommaso d’Aquino and Beato Enrico Susone. In the two side chapels there is a wooden painting of the late XVI century: Eterno Padre and a painting dedicated to Santa Liberata. On the apse wall there is another painting attributed to A. Granata: Madonna del Rosario e Santi and on the big dome there is a large fresco representing San Domenico in gloria tra i santi.
On the left side of the church there is the ancient monastery of the Dominican Order.
Coming to Corso Telesio, the heart of old Cosenza, once named “Via dei Mercanti”, there is the church of Cavalieri of Malta, the Palazzo of Galeazzo of Tarsia and the old Town Hall, today “Casa delle culture” (House of cultures). After there is the Duomo. Its origins are unknown, but it was probably built in the first half of the XI century. On 9th June 1184, a disastrous earthquake destroyed the Church. The rebuilding was completed in 1222 when the Duomo was consecrated at the presence of Emperor Federico II. In the first half of the eighteenth century it was covered by a baroque superstructure which cancelled the original structure and caused the loss of many works of art. In the first half of nineteenth century the façade was transformed in gothic style which completely changed its characteristics. At the end of the XIX century, the Archbishop Camillo Sorgente, entrusting the work to the wisdom and knowledge of the architect Pisanti, recovered the original old arches and the ancient structure of the Church. In the ‘40s the work was finally completed with the Archbishop Aniello Calcara. The façade is divided into three parts which correspond to the internal division in one nave and two aisles; in the centre there is an old rose-window which was once polyfoiled, with two little quatrefoil rose-windows, which overhang the portals.
The interior has a nave, two aisles and eight spans, delimited by some pillars linked by round arches. In the transept there are some fillet columns, which divide it in the cross square. It is covered by an ogival vault. The first chapel is dedicated to the Madonna del Pilerio who, according to the tradition, saved the people of Cosenza from the terrible plague of 1576. The altar is baroque and is made of polychrome marbles, upon which is placed the painting of the Vergine del Pilerio. The Holy Virgin has a spot on her face as a sign of the plague that She brought upon Herself in order to save her devotees. For an artistic point of view, the painting, after its restoration, resulted a wonderful late thirteenth century original. On the left wall of the chapel, there is Lo Sposalizio della Vergine, by Gianbattista Santoro. On the other wall, there is another painting representing the same subject. The second chapel is the Cappella dell’Arciconfraternita Orazione e Morte where the altarpiece painting represents the Madonna delle Grazie dating back to 1770. On the ceiling, there is a painting inspired to the brothers Maccabei and on the apse vault there is La Pietà. On the walls of the chapel there are also many paintings dedicated to Tobia and to the miracles of the San Michele Arcangelo. The wooden stalls date back to ‘700. On the right side of the apses, were buried the corpses of the brothers Bandiera and those of their fellows.
The sacristy is surrounded by walnut closets built by artisans from Rogliano. Immediately after the sacristy you can visit the Cappella dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo where, recently, many interesting discoveries have been made. In front of it there is the Cappella della Assunta. In the transept there is the tomb of Isabella of Aragona who was the wife of the king of France, Filippo III l’Ardito. The grave was made in the gothic style by a French artist and it is bordered by gothic trefoil three-lancet window.
Next to the transept you can admire the Madonna del Rosario, painted by Rocco Ferrari from Montalto and then the frescoes of Domenico Morelli and Paolo Vetri: the Assunta and 12 Apostoli dating back to 1899. In the other little apses there is the Sacra Famiglia painted by Rocco Ferrari.
In the right aisle there is the sarcophagus of Meleagro containing some bones that may have belonged to Enrico “lo Sciancato”, son of Federico II. On the opposite pillar, there are some fragments of the two frescoes Annunzioata and Angelo Annunziante, both from the XIV century. You can also admire the crucifix, painted in 1400, and the remains of the mosaic floor from the Swabian period.
A long aisle links the Duomo to the Palazzo Arcivescovile, which houses The Immacolata of Luca Giordano and a painting by Pascaletti. Two little ivory statues are preserved in wooden boxes. There is also a golden engraved chalice and a golden crown testifying to the art of the Neapolitan goldsmiths of the XVIII century. Since 1991, the “Soprintendenza” keeps the rare and precious Stauroteca which, according to the tradition, was a gift of the Emperor Federico II when the Duomo was consecrated. The reliquary cross is made of thin gold leaves and it is fixed on a wooden core decorated by filigree and other patterns. It is a work belonging from the royal goldsmith’s workshops, better known as “Tiraz” and it was produced in a environment in which Muslin, Byzantine, and western cultural experiences blended.
Just after the Duomo, on the right hand side of the street, you find the former Liceo Telesio which was once the city’s old theatre, dedicated to Ferdinand of Borbone. Going down Corso Telesio, you can see the Palazzo De Matera, in front of the former church of Santa Chiara. It was built in 1578 and suppressed after the Unification of Italy. In the area called “Giostra Nuova”, there is the Palazzo of Cassa di Risparmio which is next to Palazzo Sersale. At the end of Corso Telesio there is Piazza XV Marzo, which evokes the insurrectional revolts of the 15th March 1844. The monument dedicated to the great philosopher Bernardino Telesio is placed in the centre of this square. The statue was made by Achille D’Orsi in 1914. In front of the monument, there is the Palazzo del Governo which was built between 1844 and 1847, while behind it there is the Teatro Rendano. Next to the theatre stands the building that houses the Accademia Cosentina, founded by Aulo Giano Parrasio in the early XVI century. In the same building you can find the Biblioteca Civica which is one of the richest libraries in Southern Italy. On the left side of the square there is the Statua della Libertà which is at the entrance of the “Villa Vecchia”, an ancient garden built in the second half of XIX century by Davide Andreotti. In via Gaetano Argento stands the Palazzo Gaspare Sersale where the Emperor Carlo V spent some time in 1535 during his visit to Cosenza. Next to it there is the Monastero delle Vergini. The external part of the main entrance is made of decorated tuff, while the internal part is made of engraved wood. The convent contains a sixteenth-century painting which represents Annunciazione. In front of it there is another wonderful thirteenth-century painting attributed to Giovanni da Taranto representing Madonna del Pilerio, and on the walls you can admire four other paintings whose sixteenth-century author is anonymous: the Visitazione, the Circoncisione, the Adorazione dei Pastori, the Adorazione dei Magi. In the apses the altarpiece from 1570 represents Transito della Vergine. In the cymatium there is a painting of the Incoronazione della Vergine while at the base of the two columns there are little pictures of two saints whose identity is uncertain. They probably were painted by Michele Curia, better known as “Maestro di Montecalvario”. The wooden choir dates back to 1600. On the left side of the convent there are Archi di Ciaccio. In via Gaetano Argento, there is the fifteenth-century Palazzo Falvo; further on you can see Casa Palazzi. A few steps further ahead, you are in the heart of Renaissance Cosenza: the “Giostra Vecchia”. This area, between via Gaetano Argento and Corso Telesio, has remarkable historical and cultural value. Here you can admire: Palazzo Orsomarsi, Palazzo Caselli, Palazzo Bombini, and, further on, the Archi di Vaccaro and Sambiase. Now you are at the Church and Monastery of San Francesco d’Assisi which, according to the tradition, were founded by Blessed Pietro Cathin of Sant’Andrea from Faenza, who was a disciple of San Francesco. The interior has a Latin cross and it has a nave and two aisles. In the nave stands the impressive wooden high altar built in 1700. Above it there is a painting of Daniele Russo representing the Perdono d’Assisi (1618).The same author painted a crucifix, in the cymatium. In the left aisle there is a wooden crucifix from the XVII century, the altar of the Madonna della Febbre and the statue of the Madonna col Bambino. This work is made of marble and dates back to 1500. In the Cappella dell’ Immacolata you can admire a marble altar from 1777 and in the frontal there is the Immacolata and above it the Immacolata ed Eterno Padre, both painted by D. Russo. On the side walls you can find the Incredulità della presenza Eucaristica, and San Pasquale Baylon which is a work by G. Cenatiempo (1721). At the back there is a wooden choir (1505), some wooden statues, some paintings, a fifteenth-century wooden crucifix and, in a wooden sarcophagus from 1619, the corpse of Blessed Giovanni from Castrovillari. In the sacristy you can see a painted wooden ceiling, a wooden closet representing episodes from the Passion of Christ and pictures of saints and Franciscan monks. On the stone arch, there is the painting of San Francesco from Paola. On the walls there are some frescoes representing San Basilio, Sant’Antonio Abate, Santa Caterina from Alessandria from the beginning of the XV century.
In the Cappella di Santa Caterina d’ Alessandria there is, on the apse ceiling, the Gloria di Santa Caterina painted by Guglielmo Borremans. On the farthest wall, there is a painting of the Martirio di Santa Caterina. On both sides of the apse two wooden sculptures represent Santa Agnese and Santa Lucia, while on the side walls there are the statues of Santa Caterina from Alessandria and the Madonna de le Salette together with six remarkable paintings by Guglielmo Borremans in 1705 and inspired by events in the life of Santa Caterina.
The pulpit and the choir from 1700 are made in gilded engraved wood. There is a painted organ positioned on the chancel, while on the ceiling you can admire a painting of Santa Chiara.
Next to the church, in the buildings which belong to the former monastery there is the Gabinetto di Restauro. Many exhibitions display the restorations which regard, in greater part, the minor sacred art of Calabria.
Returning to the “Giostra Vecchia”and entering “Via del Seggio” you can see Palazzo Giannuzzi Savellio and then you are again at the Cathedral.
The second part of our tour leads to Portapiana and if you stop in Contrada Motta you can enjoy the wonderful view of the new part of Cosenza.
Further on there is the church of the Cappuccinelle. The interior, which has one nave aisle, is rich in frescoes dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and a wooden crucifix attributed to a disciple of Frate Umile da Pietralia. There is also a painting representing the Immacolata (1558) made by Pietro Negroni. Going further along the same street you can visit the church of San Giovanni in “Portapiana”, which is distinguished by a remarkable stone portal. The interior of the Church contains engraved wooden works of art from the XVII century.
Going down the left side of the street, you reach the church of Santa Maria della Sanità which was built in 1481. It was so named in 1652 and it was restored in 1759.
Going up the street, you reach the Swabian Castle. You should stop to visit the church of San Giovanni Battista. The neighbourhood makes you think that you are in a little village and not in a big city. The castle was certainly built by the Saracens on the ruins of the ancient Rocca Brutia, around 1000. Federico II restored it, adding the octagonal tower to the original structure in 1239.
Arrigo from Hohenstaufen, also known as Enrico lo Sciancato, emperor’son, lived in this castle and some people say he was a prisoner there on his father’s command. The signs of the ancient Saracen structure have now disappeared. The octagonal tower belongs to the Swabian period, while in keystones of some rooms in the southern side you can see coats of arms with the rake and the fleur-de-lis belonging to the Angevin period. In the internal cloister, the modifications made by the Borbons in order to convert it into a prison are readily visible. The entrance-hall is covered by pointed arches with engraved brackets. A wide corridor is dominated by some fleur-de-lis, from the Angevin coat of arms which contains these flowers. They are engraved on the ribbed Swabian arches. Next to the Castle there is a rest home called Umberto I which occupies in the rooms of the former Convento dei Cappuccini. Going down to the valley and walking alongside the Villa Vecchia you reach Piazza Spirito Santo. Further on, there is the church of Sant’ Agustino which was built in 1507 by the Agostinians living in Cosenza from 1426. On the ogival portal there are some inscriptions in gothic characters and above it there is an ugly window. In the internal part you can find a series of paintings from the XVIII century. Further on a narrow street leads you to the “Area dei frartelli Bandiera”, the “Vallone di Rovito”. In this place the patriots of 1844 were executed by firing squad. Going on to Corso del Plebiscito you can see on the left side the Mercato dell’Arenella, which is rich in atmosphere, while on the right you can admire the church of San Gaetano. Turning right just after the church you reach Palazzo Arnone in which some years ago were located the courthouse and the prison. Now it houses the National Picture Gallery (Pinacoteca).
Not too far, there is the Church and Monastery of San Francesco di Paola both built in 1510. On the door some bronze panels represents episodes from the life of San Francesco di Paola. On the left, a square bell tower constructed in 1600. The interior has a nave without an aisle and it houses the tomb of Ottavio Cesare Gaeta. On the right wall there are two eighteenth-century paintings: Sacra Famiglia and Madonna con San Francesco e Sant’Agostino. On one altar you can see a wooden statue of San Francesco of Paola while on the left side of the nave, on another altar, there is a wooden statue of the San Michele Arcangelo. In a little aisle there is the Trasfigurazione which is a work of art by D. Guinaccia, in very poor condition. You can admire The Pietà, a group in wood with some paintings. You can also see a famous work of art by Pietro Negroni from 1551 – Madonna con Bambino in gloria e i Santi Paolo e Luca.
In the apses there is a triptych made in the early XVI century by Cristoforo Faffeo, which represents the Madonna con Bambino in gloria e i Santi Caterina e Sebastiano.
At the back of the altar you find a wooden choir built in 1679 by M. Domenico Costanzo da Rogliano. On the wall of the sacristy you can see remains of frescoes dating to ‘550-600. On the vault you can see some pastels representing scenes from the life of the Saint from Paola. On the left of the church there is the little church of San Salvatore, which houses the parish which professes the Byzantine-Albanian faith. Inside the nave of the church you can admire a wooden ceiling, some frescoes of the Apostoli, of the Salvatore, and of the Madonna, and there is a splendid iconostasis. Here you can find two paintings, the Panaghia and the Pantogratore, and there are also five minor paintings dating back to 1983 by the painter Sukara, from Corinth.
Museums and cultural institutions
Accademia Cosentina
Biblioteca Civica
Biblioteca Nazionale
Museo Civico
Teatro "A.Rendano"
Galleria Nazionale - Palazzo Arnone
Museo all'aperto "Bilotti" - Open air museum (Corso Mazzini - Piazza Bilotti)
Casa delle Culture
Events and festivals
Fiera di S.Giuseppe - March
S.Giuseppe Rock Festival - March
Festival delle Invasioni - July
Festa del Vino (Wine Festival in Donnici area) - October
Famous people
Aulo Giano Parrasio (humanist, 1470-1521)
Bernardino Telesio (philosopher, 1509-1588)
Francesco Saverio Salfi (philosopher, 1759-1832)
Giuseppe Spiriti (economist and scientist, 1757-1799)
See also
Calabria
External links
This "Travel Guide" section is drawn from the Wikipedia article "Cosenza". We hope you will edit and improve it. It is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.