Crotone is a very young province in a very young country. While Italy was established in the nineteenth century, Crotone province was only founded in 1992 when part of the territory which had been included in the province of Catanzaro was separated as a new province. Catanzaro borders to the south-west, Cosenza to the north-west and to the east is the Ionian Sea. The capital of Crotone is the city of Crotone which is perched over the sea with stunning views, a rich heritage and a dramatically beautiful skyline dotted by castles. With such beautiful surrounds, a huge range of things to see and do and a slow pace of life, it's the place to go for a relaxing, fun holiday by the sea. Find a vacation rental in Calabria and visit Crotone for yourself!
Crotone has a history going back to 710BC and, according to Ovid, the capital owes its name to Hercules, who wanted to honour his friend Crotone. Hercules had accidentally killed Crotone and, in order to repent for this grave error, he built the city of Crotone as a memorial. Supposedly, this is the city of the Greek school founded by Pythagoras and birthplace of the Olympic athlete, Milo. The physicians of Crotone were also considered the foremost among practitioners in Ancient Greece. In later years, the city also came under the control of the Romans, Hannibal, the Ostrogoths, the Byzantine Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, the Normans, the Kingdom of Naples, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and Kingdom of Sardinia before the Kingdom of Italy was established in 1861.
This rich history is reflected and visible in the city. It is home to Capo Colonna Archaeological Park, the Cathedral (originally from the 9th to the 11th centuries with Baroque embellishment), Le Castella (an ancient citadel constructed on a small island) and the imposing 16th century Castle of Charles V.
There is also a municipal museum, a municipal art gallery and a provincial museum of contemporary art in the city.
If history isn't your thing, however, don't despair – there are plenty of other things to do in Crotone!
The city is home to a Series B football team, Crotone F.C., and has its own stadium so soccer fans may be able to catch a game while visiting. Just a few miles away from the city, is Cirò which is renowned for its wine. The centre of the town is surrounded by orange grooves, vineyards and olive grooves and you can spend a day tasting the local dishes and trying and learning about their D.O.C. wine.
Finally, take time to enjoy the sea. Crotone city is overlooking the ocean and the region is well-known for its stunning beaches. A coastline which is rich in history and nature, it has been a protected sea area since 1991 and the stretch at Capo Rizzuto is the most extensive in Italy, with a surface of 15,000 hectares of sea. It's an exceptionally beautiful part of Calabria.
There is also a municipal museum, a municipal art gallery and a provincial museum of contemporary art in the city.
If history isn't your thing, however, don't despair – there are plenty of other things to do in Crotone!
The city is home to a Series B football team, Crotone F.C., and has its own stadium so soccer fans may be able to catch a game while visiting. Just a few miles away from the city, is Cirò which is renowned for its wine. The centre of the town is surrounded by orange grooves, vineyards and olive grooves and you can spend a day tasting the local dishes and trying and learning about their D.O.C. wine.
Finally, take time to enjoy the sea. Crotone city is overlooking the ocean and the region is well-known for its stunning beaches. A coastline which is rich in history and nature, it has been a protected sea area since 1991 and the stretch at Capo Rizzuto is the most extensive in Italy, with a surface of 15,000 hectares of sea. It's an exceptionally beautiful part of Calabria.
Photo credits
picture 1: LeonidasGR_ / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: RennyDJ / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 1: LeonidasGR_ / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: RennyDJ / CC BY-SA 3.0;
