A journey between the Byzantine and Norman historical evidences

Uno scorcio del borgo di Gerace Il castello normanno svevo di Cosenza soto la neve La statua commemorativa di Re Alarico I codex purpureus rossanensis Torre normanna di San Marco Argentano Uno scorcio del borgo di Rossano

Description

Calabria has been dominated by the Byzantines for over half millennium (from Roman Empire fall until the 11^th century), successively ousted by the Norman hegemony around the end of the 11^th century. It was a period full of bloody battles but also characterized by a florid cultural expansion. Our route touches the milestones of those times, from the ‘Cattolica’ of Stilo, passing by Reggio Calabria -also defined as Byzantine capital in Calabria- to the evidences founded in Rossano.

Program

Day 1 Arrival to Calabria
Once arrived in Calabria we will have accommodation in medieval old town Gerace where will be greeted by a welcome drink.

Included services:
• Transfer by rental car
• Welcome drink
• Overnight


Day 2 The proofs of Stilo and Gerace
Our journey will start with the departure to Stilo, home town of Tommaso Campanella, where is situated the famous Cattolica, perfect example of Byzantine architecture of the 10th century. Returning to Mammola, famous for stockfish processing, (a dried cod preservation) that forms the basis of many typical dishes in the Aspromonte hinterland. We will have the pleasure of enjoying it for lunch. Place of interest in Mammola is the Santa Barbara Museum Park, created by the artists Nick Spatari and Hiske Maas, featuring a series of works by the two artists. Returning to Gerace we will continue our guided tour. Denominated ‘the city of a hundred churches’, Gerace is a enchanting medieval village funded by refugees of Locri. Then we are going to visit the largest cathedral of the Southern Italy, built under the Norman domain in the 8th century. A church who need to be paid attention is San Giovannello, edified in the 11th century and actually working as Greek-Orthodox parish.

Included services:
• Breakfast
• Transfer by rental car
• Guided tour of Stilo and Gerace
• Lunch in typical restaurant
• Overnight


Day 3 Cosenza, city of Alaric’s legend
We will move to Cosenza, city of Frederic the 2nd, of Alaric’s myth and of Crati and Busento rivers. Cosenza represents a milestone of the Calabrian and the whole Southern Italian history. From the Swabian castle, recently renewed (which we highly recommend visiting), it can be enjoyed a breathtaking view on the Crati’s valley up to Sibari’s plains. In the diocesan museum of the Cathedral is kept the precious symbol of the city called Stauroteca, a reliquary that contains priceless works of medieval gold working. One of most important attractive of the city is pedestrian area where you can live the splendid experience of the open-air museum Bilotti also called MAB: a permanent exposition that allows us to have a stroll through the masterpieces made by some of the most important artists of twentieth century as Manzù, De Chirico, Emilio Greco, Rotella, Dalì, Sosno, etc.

Included services:
• Breakfast
• Transfer by rental car
• Overnight in Cosenza

Day 4 From San Marco Argentano to Rossano
In the inland of Cosenza, we will discover San Marco Argentano with its Norman Tower, Crypt, and some rest of Santa Maria di Matina abbey, everything built in the11th century. Our walk will continue to Rossano, called ‘The Southern Ravenna’ for its strong presence of Byzantine sites and artifacts. Starting from the ancient Cathedral, restored in 1330 by the will of Robert D’Angiò, where is located the ‘Madonna Achiropita’, a Byzantine fresco belonging to the 9th-century. In the archbishop’s palace, adjacent to the Cathedral, is mounted the Diocesan Museum where is conserved the famous and majestic Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, one of the most ancient and precious Byzantine liturgical books. The document contains 15 golden and silvered miniatures, written in Greek, representing the Gospel. Also important are Panaghìa and San Marco Evangelista’s churches, both interesting Byzantine buildings. In the evening, there will be a stop to the Amarelli Licorice Firm, world leader in licorice production, where we can taste their delicious products.

Included services:
• Breakfast
• Transfer by rental car
• Guided tours of San Marco Argentano and Rossano
• Goodbye dinner
• Overnight in Cosenza


Day 5 Comeback day
After the breakfast in hotel, the journey can be considered as concluded.

Included services:
• Breakfast
• Transfer to airport

Price includes

• Rental car for entire tour
• Accomodation in double rooms
• Welcome drink
• 1 lunch and 1 dinner in typical restaurant as in program
• Assistance and guided tours as in program
• Vat and service fees

Our tour are protected by
• Health insurance
• insurance RC professional
• Guarantee food tour Assoviaggi

Price does not include

• Meals, guided tours, Transfer or other services not mentioned in program
• Entrances to museums (not mentioned in program)
• Possible city tax
• Anything not mentioned in “Price includes”

Itinerary

Accommodations provided in each place

To be advised