Historic Walk in Cosenza, Calabria, Cosenza, Italy

Want to come on a historic walk in one of Italy’s captivating southern cities: Cosenza, Calabria? An impromptu invitation to go on a historic walk today around Cosenza, proved to be both educational and loads of fun. It’s especially cool when joining a friend that’s been living in Cosenza for an age, Luigina from Calabrisella Mia Blog on the walk.

Today is the 25th April, so it’s Liberation Day in Italy, which celebrates the end of Nazi Occupation in Italy and the Italian Civil War, during World War II. And what better way to spend a public holiday than by exploring the Fascist buildings around Cosenza, followed by a search for the illusive La Ficuzza (fig tree) along the way?

Because of Cosenza’s rich artistic and historical heritage, the city is known as the “Athens of Italy”. Founded in 1511-12 the Accademia Cosentina, which promotes scientists, artists, and culture, is said to be one of the oldest in Europe. There is so much to see in Cosenza that you need more than one day to see everything.

New and old Cosenza are divided by the the two rivers: Crati and Buseto, with an easy walk or drive between the two via small bridges. Ancient Cosenza Old Town (also known as Cosenza Vecchia or Centro Storico), dates back to the 4th Century BC when founded by the local people - the Bruzi. Perched high on the hill with an expansive vista over both old and new Cosenza, is the majestic Norman castle built about 1,000 years’ ago: Castello Svevo. Today, we’re not walking up to the castle, but exploring the historical areas around new and old Cosenza. The first stop is at Piazza Dei Bruzi in the new part of Cosenza. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).