History
The first settlements in the area date back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by the archaeological finds discovered in the area and datable to the Neolithic age. It was founded by the inhabitants of Caria and Toco, who, in order to escape the devastating Saracen raids, decided to move to the heights. Possession, at the beginning of the 14th century, of Caterina Niceforo, daughter of the despot of Epirus, then made part of the county of Arena, in which it remained until the end of the fifteenth century. Among the noble families, who obtained their investiture, there were the Borgia of Squillace, the Carafa of Soriano, the Ravaschieri and the Caracciolo. These last two families gave birth to the Duchy of Girifalco which lasted from 1624 to 1806. The toponym has an uncertain etymology. Some scholars refer to the homonymous Italian term, indicating ‘a species of falcon (from the ancient northern word “geirfalk”), others make it derive from the Greek “kur Falkos”. [3] A minute of 1845 records a lodge called Fidelitas being founded at Girifalco in Calabria in 1723. In spite of the lack of earlier records, this is often cited as the first Masonic Lodge in Italy. [4]
The province of Catanzaro is a province of the Calabria region of Italy. The city Catanzaro is both capital of the province and capital of the region of Calabria. The province contains a total of 80 municipalities (comuni). Its provincial president is Sergio Abramo.
Belmonte Calabro, known simply as Belmonte prior to the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy, is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza, in Calabria. The town is perched on a hilltop on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Squillace is an ancient town and comune, in the Province of Catanzaro, part of Calabria, southern Italy, facing the Gulf of Squillace.
Acquaformosa is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of Italy. Since the Middle Ages it is home to an Arbëresh minority, which is reflected in the presence of Skanderbeg's heraldic eagle in the comune's coat of arms. The town is also the seat of the Arberesh Orthodox Church.
San Pietro Apostolo is a comune and town in the province of Catanzaro in the Calabria region of Italy. It is about 15.3 kilometres (9.5 mi) northwest of Catanzaro, the provincial capital.
Vallefiorita is a town and comune in the province of Catanzaro in the Calabria region of Italy.
Albidona (Albidonese: Albdòn) is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. It is located between the Ionian Sea and the mountains of Pollino National Park, at 11 km from the sea and 18 km from the mountains.
Bisignano is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza, part of the Calabria region of southern Italy. It is situated on hills in the Crati valley, between the Pollino and Sila National Parks.
Terranova da Sibari is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. It is located on a hill between the river Crati and the last stretches of the Sila Mountains, at some 20 kilometres from the Ionian Sea. Refugees from the ancient city of Thurii founded Terranova after the destruction of their city in the war against Croton.
Longobucco is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza, in the Calabria region of southern Italy. Longobucco is one of the main municipalities of the Sila National Park and in terms of its territory is one of the largest in Calabria. It is a small town in the heart of Sila Greca, part of the Greater Sila Plateau, in the midst of mountains, rivers and lakes that are home to numerous species of animals and plants.
Laino Borgo is a town and comune of 1,879 inhabitants in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. It is located on the border between two regions, and lies at the entrance to the Pollino National Park, Italy's largest national park and an area of importance for its geology and biodiversity, recognized as a UNESCO Geopark since 2015.
Grimaldi is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. Grimaldi is referred to as Grimaldo in historic documents. In the local Calabrian dialect, the town is called Grimàudu or Grimàuru, and the residents Grimaudisi, although the Italian versions are today prevalent.
Colosimi is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. Gangster James Colosimo was born here in 1878.
San Massimo is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Campobasso in the Italian region Molise, located about 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of Campobasso, comprising 27.6 square kilometres (10.7 sq mi).
Campo Calabro is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 110 kilometres (68 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 12 kilometres (7 mi) north of Reggio Calabria. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 4,193 and an area of 7.5 square kilometres (2.9 sq mi).
Delianuova is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 90 kilometres (56 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,542 and an area of 21.0 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi). Delianuova borders the following municipalities: Cosoleto, San Luca, Scido.
Varapodio is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the southern Italian region Calabria, located about 80 kilometres (50 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria.
Belmonte Mezzagno is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Palermo in the Italian region Sicily, located about 15 kilometres (9 mi) south of Palermo.
Polia is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Vibo Valentia in the Italian region of Calabria. It is located about 30 kilometres (19 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) northeast of Vibo Valentia. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,224 and an area of 31.8 square kilometres (12.3 sq mi).
Soriano Calabro is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Vibo Valentia in the Italian region Calabria, located about 45 kilometres (28 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 15 kilometres (9 mi) southeast of Vibo Valentia. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 2,975 and an area of 15.2 square kilometres (5.9 sq mi).
