Francavilla Marittima: Archaeology and local history

Francavilla Marittima is a great choice for a trip focused on archaeological remains and local history. The Timpone della Motta and Macchiabate Archaeological Park offers an insight into the area’s early settlement and places of worship; in the historic center, an archaeological museum, the Fontana Vecchia and historic churches add to the picture. The remains range from Bronze Age settlement traces to tombs and a sanctuary, as well as 19th-century buildings.

Hillside setting and landscape

The Timpone della Motta and Macchiabate Archaeological Park lies on the first slopes of the hills bordering the Sibari plain, at the foot of the Massiccio del Dolcedorme in the Pollino range. South of Timpone della Motta is the Raganello riverbed; the river crosses the plain and eventually flows into the Ionian Sea. The elevated position of the ancient settlement on Timpone della Motta was also significant: it offered a vantage point from which to monitor the area and its routes.

Sanctuary, necropolis and finds

The oldest traces of settlement on Timpone della Motta date back to the Middle Bronze Age. During the colonial period, a sanctuary with a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena stood on the hilltop. The sanctuary was one of the most important places of worship in the chora of Sybaris. Some scholars also consider Timpone della Motta a possible location of ancient Lagaria; this identification remains a scholarly hypothesis.

The Macchiabate necropolis is clearly visible from the settlement. The Carnevale stream separates the two areas. Burials in the necropolis date from the Early Iron Age to the end of the 7th and beginning of the 6th century BC. The oldest phase includes the Cerchio Reale tomb group, an impressive collection of burials. Tomb Strada 1 is dated to the 9th century BC. Another find is a bronze tablet from the 6th century BC, discovered outside Building II. Its dedication is to the goddess Athena and was made by the Olympic victor Kleombrotos.

Museum and historic buildings

The Museo Archeologico di Francavilla Marittima is located in the historic center, in the building known as Palazzo de Santis. The Fontana Vecchia was built in 1793 and is protected by FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano). Its three spouts flow into three marble basins. So, alongside the ancient archaeological sites, the townscape also features tangible evidence of the area’s later history.

The Chiesa della Madonna degli Infermi was built in the first half of the 19th century as a private chapel over an earlier church that the Sanseverino family had built in the 16th century. The Cappella di Santa Lucia dates from 1881. The feast day of Saint Lucia is celebrated on December 12 and 13; “grano cotto” is considered a typical dish associated with the celebration.

Practical information

If you plan to visit the Museo Archeologico, check the visitor arrangements before your trip. If you are planning a trip around the patron saint’s feast day, you can also check the dates in advance. The archaeological remains and the buildings in the historic center offer different points of interest, from the settlement’s age and places of worship to churches, fountains and local traditions.

Discover more destinations: La Bruca, Belmonte Calabro, Malito, Calopezzati, Vaccarizzo, Marina Di Fuscaldo, Marina di Santa Maria del Cedro, Cropalati.

Back to the main travel overview: Cosenza.