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Caloveto - Cosenza
Caloveto, a minute village of Calabria ex Byzantine, overlooking the Ionian Sea from an altitude of 375 metres, lying on a ridge of the hill-side on the right side of the river Trionto valley, forming a buttress to the Sila Grande.The town was founded during the 9th century, by a group of monks fleeing from religious persecution who established themselves in a series of grottoes dug out of the rocks which functioned as a Monastery (where they venerated San Giovanni Calibyta), church and water source for the people who gradually began to populate the village. The name of the town, therefore, came from that of the Monastery (from the Greek Caluvi = straw stack) and during the centuries it underwent orthographic transformations: Kalybita 750 - Kalyveto 1126 - Kalevito 1167 - Calviti 1300 - Caliveto 1450 - Caleviti 1587 - Calovito 1698 - Caluvitio 1871 - Caliviti (an actual dialect expression) - Caloveto. Historical Artistic ResourcesThe Monastery of S.Giovanni prospered under the Normans, gradually extending as it passed from one domination to another. Under the Sangineri (1352), to accommodate the increasing population a new Latin church was constructed dedicated to S.Anna, now known as the Mother Church. This church has undergone several restorations, the latest took place in 1992. A fine example of Norman architecture; a facade with three rose windows, a large central one and two smaller lateral ones, in the form of a Latin cross with three naves and a barrel vault, upon which are three oil paintings. A large painting hangs on the left hand side of the presbytery, representing 'the Glorious Death of S.Giovanni Calibyta', painted on canvas by Aldo Moschetto in 1995. Amongst the artistic patrimony of S.Annàs is a wooden statue of S.Giuseppe dating back to the 18th century, a silver crucifix attributed to the 18th century Neapolitan School, a finely decorated chalice dating back to 1634 once owned by the Abbot Rogani, according to its inscription (V.Caloveto - Historical Profile by A.Platarota), and a 16th century cherry-wood crucifix. Recently a Museum of sacred art has been opened containing objects from the 17th, 18th and 19th century such as: monstrance, chalices, ciboriums, crosses, lavabos, thuribles, ampullas, candlesticks, crowns. The pieces in brass, bronze, silver and gold have recently been gilded and externally plastic-coated. Opposite the Mother Church stands the Church of the Carmine, known as 'Donna Auroràs Church', due to the fact that at the beginning of the 19th century, (Donna Aurora Mazziotti in Pirelli) a noblewoman, had it built onto the palace of Baron De Mundo as a chapel, which dominates the town square. The latest restoration has restored the church to its ancient glory. Also the chapel dedicated to S.Antonio of Padova, which lies on the outskirts of town, a well known pilgrimage destination during the month of June, has undergone recent restoration. Close by the church of S.Antonio lie the remains of a church in the form of the Latin cross, the Church of S. Rita. Another church in the form of a Latin cross is the old Church of the Annunziata; today a parish oratory, elegantly restored, situated in the centre of the town; once it lay outside the town, giving refuge to cenobite monks. Among the civic monuments stands out the De Mundo Palace: a square building erected at the beginning of the 20th century. Comite Palace: A suggestive 18th century palace standing in the heart of the old town. Incorporates a characteristic covered quadrangular courtyard around which the rest of the building lies, including also a grotto dug out of the rocks. Caruso House: of neo-classical origin, and of remarkable architectural and artistic interest dating back to around the second half of the 19th century. Erected upon a rocky hillside, jutting out over the valley beneath, evidences former agricultural activities, such as the production of olive oil: oil mill, presses, grind stones and various other equipment. The oil mill is characterised by a series of round arches and an open gallery, along with a fluted cornice evidently of neo-classic origin. Pirelli Palace: an antique building dating back to the first millennium, which was first used as a convent for the monks in flight from religious persecution, and throughout the following centuries has undergone several transformations. Overhanging the rocky hillside, there enclosed within its foundations lies the grotto of S.Giovanni. Comite Lodge: A characteristic farmhouse built around the beginning of the century, situated a few kilometres from the town in a locality known as Contrada Serra. Once the home of a noble lawyer of Caloveto, L.Comite, it was once a centre of thriving economical activity of great importance to the town. A Medieval stone double lancet window can be admired in the house of Britti - Pirelli. Natural ResourcesThe territory is typical scrub land (macchia Mediterranea) divided into two phytoclimatic zones: the laurentum and the castanetum. The laurentum reaches as far as 300 metre a.s.l., made up of oleander, pistacea lentiscus and pistacea terebinto (pistachio), different kinds of olea europea (olive), prunus communis (wild pear), broom, bilberry, heather and eucalyptus. The main characteristic of this area is the specialised olive grove (Contrada Serra, Contrada S.Antonio, Zona Destri) and the specialised eucalyptus grove (Valli), not an indigenous plant, but introduced for the forestation of the area. In the clay ground, often to be found under the olive trees, growing spontaneously, is the liquorice plant, which plays an important role in the local economy (its precious juice is extracted from the roots, and then transformed by Amarelli of Rossano). The Castenetum: above the level of 300 metres (locality Dema - Cariti) at this point the olive groves become scarce giving way to the Chestnuts 'castanea saava', the oaks 'quercus pubescens' the holm-oak 'quercus ilex' and newly established vineyards; the bushes are mainly strawberry trees, pistachio and arboreal heather (woodland broom): another kind with tougher roots is used for making pipes and flutes (a few examples still in existence, whilst the brooms are still used by the local road sweepers). Fauna: In the valleys there are hedgehogs, higher up hares, foxes and dormice (almost extinct) can be seen. Bird examples: pigeons, blackbirds, sparrows, finches, robins, hawks, kites, barn owls, ravens, crows, magpies, and larks. Amongst the migratories: thrushes, swallows. partridges, and quail. Local Seasonal Products and GastronomyOlives: Gathering is done both in the traditional way and with the use of nets. From olives genuine olive oil is obtained, extracted by the olive press (Frantoio Benincasa). Olives can be conserved in various ways : pickled, in vinegar, in oil, soaked, dried, etc. Pork: The slaughtering of the pig is part of an old tradition, a carefully guarded secret kept mainly by the numerous families in Caloveto who are of rural origin. It is a rite, a feast for both young and old, taking place early in the morning, during the coldest season of the year, to preserve better the meat and to permit a higher consumption of calories. A suitable place is chosen, (not necessarily in the country but a convenient space near home), where a pan of boiling water can be on hand and along with a bench 'scanno' to lie the animal on; friends are invited and the rite begins. Every part of the animal is used in the preparation of the timeless typical tasty dishes: sausages 'soppressate', 'capicollo' rolled bacon, pickled ribs and rind, gelatine, 'frittole', and lard preserved in the bladder used later for cake making or simply used in every cooking. Cheese: One of the characteristics of the rural society of Caloveto, are the herds of cattle and goats. There are about 50 farms for a total of 1.000 animals kept either in enclosures or in fields and which in some way take part in the transhumance. Excellent cheese is made from the milk, (cacio, cacicavallo, cottage cheese, junket, mozzarella, butter filled cheeses, milk curds), which satisfies the family needs and is marketed in the nearby villages. Another typical and much sought after local product is the 'sardinella', sardines preserved in salt and red pepper during the spring, then eaten throughout the year. Vegetables: Almost all families possess a kitchen garden where they cultivate fruit and vegetables to satisfy their own needs. Delicious preserves are made from some of the produces: aubergines, peppers, courgettes, tomatoes, onions in oil, pickled and dried vegetables; much sought after dishes such as, 'luminciane a schipecia' etc. Tasty and genuine are the jams and marmalades made from seasonal fruit throughout the year, along with dried fruit prepared in various ways. Handicraft: Fine examples of handicraft can be found in many homes: wooden spoons, bowls, jugs, 'fiscole', stools, straw bottomed chairs and the characteristic guitar 'chitarre battenti'. Itinerary of Places of InterestIt is advisable to take the road from the main square which leads down to the Pedale, crossing the old town where it is possible to admire buildings of remarkable artistic value dating back to the 18th and19th centuries (De Mundo Palace, Comite Palace, Caruso House and Pirelli Palace). At the far end of the Pedale, a narrow pathway, made from a ridge coasting the hollow rock face leads to the secular grottoes of S.Giovanni Calibyta, steeped in history and legend, where a group of Greek monks, devoted to the Saint's cult, took refuge whilst fleeing from religious persecution. From the southern side of the town a pathway is within easy reach, which leads up 'cuzzu e 'ru pupatulu', a panoramic hillside covered in fossils, overlooking the valley of the river Trionto, from where the mountains of the Sila Piccola and the Sila Grande can be clearly seen along with a stretch of the blue Ionian Sea. Hotel B&B Caloveto
Official website: http://www.comune.caloveto.cs.it |
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