Spezzano Albanese: Archaeology, Sanctuary and Thermal History

Spezzano Albanese brings together archaeological evidence, religious heritage and the history of the Terme di Spezzano. The Cammino Basiliano also passes through the town. If you are planning a hotel stay, these different themes can help shape the character of your trip: archaeology and historic buildings, religious traditions, or a section of the regional route.

Torre Mordillo: Landscape and Archaeology

The Torre Mordillo archaeological park is located on a hill overlooking the Sibari plain. During the Hellenistic period, in the 4th to 3rd centuries BC, a fortification was built on the plateau along the entire edge of the hill. It included an unusually designed perimeter wall. A perimeter wall encloses an area; at Torre Mordillo, it is its unusual design that is highlighted. Those interested in ancient fortifications will find a specific date and a description of the site here.

Museum and History of Research

The Museo di Torre Mordillo is located in the historic centre of Spezzano Albanese, in Palazzo Luci. Five rooms are each dedicated to a historical period. The museum includes educational videos and explanatory display panels. The rooms give the presentation a chronological structure; videos and panels complement it with explanations.

The history of archaeological research is also part of Torre Mordillo: systematic research uncovered an extensive necropolis there in 1888, dating to the period before Greek colonisation. A necropolis is a large burial ground. The dating of this find therefore belongs to a different historical layer from the Hellenistic fortification: the two details place different aspects of the past in context.

The Hill of Castello di Scribla

The hill occupied by Castello di Scribla overlooks the plain below and is 79 metres above sea level. A historical account concerns the origins of the castle: according to Goffredo Malaterra, Roberto il Guiscardo built it in 1048 as an outpost for the conquest of the region. Its landscape setting and attributed construction history offer two different ways to explore this place.

Sanctuary and Religious Traditions

The Santuario della Madonna delle Grazie was founded in the 16th century. Two statues of the Madonna are kept there: a permanently installed statue and a processional statue. Traditional celebrations at the sanctuary include a procession that begins there and passes through the town. The event connects the Santuario with Spezzano Albanese, while the two statues have different roles: one is permanently installed, while the other is intended for the procession.

The Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo is also part of the town’s church history. It was elevated to parish status on 18 February 1607. Holy Week is known locally as Java e Madhe; on Maundy Thursday, the Mass in Coena Domini and the washing of the feet are celebrated. These two topics offer different perspectives on time: a precisely dated event in the church’s history and a locally named tradition with specific Maundy Thursday celebrations.

Cammino Basiliano and Terme di Spezzano

The Cammino Basiliano passes through Spezzano Albanese; this stretch is part of the Cassano Ionio–Terranova da Sibari section. A named section of the regional route is therefore among the travel interests associated with the town.

The Terme di Spezzano was founded as a thermal station in 1923. It is located in a park of more than ten hectares, with Mediterranean pine and eucalyptus trees. The water emerges from five springs; the Fonte Thurio and the Fonte Acqua delle Grazie are used most extensively. The thermal history therefore includes both a point of reference in time and specific details about the park and its springs.

Discover more destinations: Grisolia, Altomonte, Scarcelli, Praia A Mare, Santa Sofia D'epiro, Campora San Giovanni, Cosenza, Montegiordano

Back to the regional travel overview: Cosenza.