Discover Cosoleto

Cosoleto lies on the northern slopes of the Aspromonte Massif and combines a setting among olive groves with a long local and ecclesiastical history. The elevated town offers views over the Gioia Tauro plain. This means that culture and landscape can serve as distinct focal points when planning a trip.

Aspromonte, Forests and Olive Growing

Cosoleto is one of the 37 municipalities in the Parco Nazionale dell’Aspromonte. The elevated town lies among olive groves and offers views over the Gioia Tauro plain. The municipal area includes extensive woodland with beech, holm oak, fir and larch trees. Olive growing is also distinctive: the centuries-old olive trees produce the indigenous Sinopolese and Ottobratico varieties, from which oil is made.

Language, Earthquake and Reconstruction

Greek was spoken in Cosoleto until the 16th century. The 1783 earthquake reduced the old Borgo, the castle, the monastery and the Church of San Nicolò to rubble. In 1806, Cosoleto was rebuilt in a safer location on the site of today’s town centre. The old Borgo and today’s town centre thus represent two clearly distinct phases: the destruction of 1783 was followed by reconstruction in 1806.

The Parish Churches of Cosoleto

Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of Cosoleto’s two parish churches and has ancient origins. The second parish church is in the district of Sitizano and is dedicated to Santa Domenica. This church was rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake and restored in the 1930s and 1940s. It was built in the Neo-Renaissance style and preserves a marble holy water stoup, a painting of Saint Joseph, the coat of arms of the Marchesi Taccone and frescoes in the presbytery. Neo-Renaissance architecture reintroduces Renaissance forms in later architecture. The churches offer different historical perspectives: Santa Maria delle Grazie has ancient origins, while Santa Domenica offers another perspective through its history and furnishings.

Carriages and Public Buildings

The Museo delle Carrozze – Marchesi Taccone di Sitizano displays Italian and French carriages from the 19th and 20th centuries. It is housed in former stables very close to the former residence of the Marchesi Taccone.

The monument to the fallen of the First World War, created by sculptor Barca in 1925, stands in Piazza Italia. The historic fountain, built in the neoclassical style in 1899, is also in the piazza. The two structures offer different points of focus: the monument commemorates the fallen, while the fountain reflects neoclassical design.

The Gole del Vallone del Cervo

Natural attractions include the Gole del Vallone del Cervo in Cosoleto. They are of national importance and have scientific, geotouristic and aesthetic significance. This natural attraction complements the churches, the monument and the carriage collection.

Discover more destinations: Gioiosa Ionica, Delianuova, Martone, Polistena, Brancaleone Superiore, Pentidattilo, Marina Di Gioiosa Ionica, Ardore Marina.

For the regional travel overview: Reggio Calabria.