Cosenza is a picturesque city in Calabria that dates back to the 4th century BC and is so steeped in fascinating history and cultural heritage that it is known as the, “Athens of Italy.” A must-see for anyone who books one of our villas in Calabria, it has a beautifully-preserved Old Town with lots of incredible historic buildings as well as a more modern section of town that has a wider selection of restaurants, shops, bars, and more. For history-lovers and culture vultures who might be in the region, it truly is an intriguing gem of a place with which you are sure to fall in love.
Rebel Origins
Located in a strategic position, not to far from the coast and the Tyrrhenian sea, in the Crati Valley, on the hills at the confluence with the Busento tributary of the Crati River, Cosenza was a perfect place to settle and build a home. The peoples who did so were the Bruzi (also known in Latin as the Brutti or Bretti and in English as the Bruttians), an ancient Italic people who inhabited an area of the south of Italy that roughly corresponds with the modern region of Calabria. Known as rebels against the Romans and pillagers and conquerors of Greek cities in the lands of modern Italy that were once part of Greece in antiquity, they made Cosenza their capital as it was key in their defence against the Greeks. It even held against Alexander the Great’s uncle during the Battle of Pandosia. You can learn more about these charismatic founding peoples in the city's Museum of Brettii and Enotri, which has been housed in the wonderful fifteenth-century monumental complex of S. Agostino since 2009.
Later a Byzantine and then a Norman kingdom, Cosenza became an important location along travel routes and absorbed influences that only further informed its history, cultural heritage, and fascinating appearance that make it a must-see for those who book a holiday rental in Calabria.
A Cultural Hub
These rebellious origins and the distinct character and spirit of this proud city remain apparent to this day. History is everywhere in the Old Town and the influence of the city’s great ancient scholars and cultural heritage continues to inform the rich cultural life of Cosenza. The birthplace of Parrasius and Telesius, two of the most famous among these celebrated ancient scholars, Cosenza continues to be influential.
Parrasio’s Accademia Cosentina (to which Telesio, the great philosopher of nature, belonged), founded in the early 16th century, eventually became the University of Calabria. Now the region’s largest state university and the first university campus in Italy, it is still an important place of learning.
In addition to this, there is the Museum of Science and Planetarium, which is named after the local 16th-century astronomer Giovan Battista Amico; the Bilotti Open-Air Museum that displays works of art along the city’s main street, Corso Mazzini, and turns the historic centre into one large outdoor museum; the UNESCO-awarded cathedral with its Romanesque façade, Gothic interior, and royal tombs; the impressive Norman fortress that overlooks the city; the lovely and very much active theatre with Renaissance origins that is dedicated to the pianist Alfonso Rendano; and the National Gallery of Cosenza, where modern and contemporary works by artists from the region and wider south of Italy are on display on a permanent and temporary basis.
Wander Through Time
Beyond the specific attractions, Cosenza is a great place to stroll aimlessly while soaking it all in. Atmospheric and lovely, with much of its medieval character still in tact, this centre is characterised by winding little streets and staircases, pretty piazze, ancient churches and palaces, charming little shops selling artisanal goods, traditional eateries and elegant little restaurants, quaint bars, and much more besides. The town is also known for its rich and delicious gastronomic heritage, particularly for its use of spices, and so be sure to enjoy wonderful meals, snacks, and glasses of high-quality local reds and whites liberally throughout your wandering and adventures on holiday in Calabria!
Be sure to also especially take your time as you go down the Corso Mazzini, as it is not only the main shopping street in the historic centre, but it is where you’ll find the pieces of the open-air museum founded by the Bilotti family in 2006 and expanded since them. Among the works, there is Dalì’s lovely bronze group of Saint George And The Dragon, Giorgio De Chirico’s depictions of The Great Metaphysician, The Archaeologists, Hector and Andromache, Mimmo Rotella’s massive green travertine sculpture, Lupo della Sila, and the recently-added Testa di Cariatide by Modigliani. There are many other incredible pieces to take in and at your leisure as this is an open-air 24-hour museum space so make sure that you really give yourself time to take in all that there is to see on this very special main street!
Full of tradition, heritage, beautiful sights, works of art, great food and drink, and a distinct local spirit and charm, Cosenza is a singular cultural centre that makes for a wonderful place to explore if you book a vacation rental in Calabria. See it for yourself and discover just why it is the Athens of Italy...