Agricultural centre in the foothills of the Sila mountains, in the lower Valley of Trionto, Cropalati stands at 367 metres above sea level in the territory of the province of Cosenza.
The name of the village is of clear Byzantine origins, its etymological referent being Kouropalates, either in sign of honour to the emperor bearing this name (Michele Curopalàtis), or, most likely, because the land was given as a fief to a high-ranking state official of Rossano who bore this name.
The urban centre of Cropalati developed around a feudal castle at the beginning of the 14th century. Remains of this castle can still be seen in the upper part of the village.
Formerly a possession of the State of Rossano, Cropalati was owned by the Aragona Montalto family (1507-1600), and then by the Badolato family (1600-1617) which held it under the title of Marquis.
In 1617, the State of Rossano regained possession of Cropalati and kept it until 1806.
Under the administrative law enforced by general Championnet in 1799, Cropalati was annexed to the District of Cirò. In 1807, it became a Luogo of the Government of Cariati. On the 4th of May 1811, it was raised to the rank of chief town of the District, including the villages of Paludi, Calopezzati, Crosia and Caloveto. It must be remembered that Cropalati was the birthplace of Blessed Bernardino Otranto, the confessor of San Francesco from Paola.
Artistic heritage. Apart from the remains of the Medieval Castle quoted above, worth visiting at Cropalati is the Church of Santissimo Rosario with Mysteries - sec XVI (1570) with altar built after Lepanto battle, housing an 18th century painting portraying the Ecce Homo and the Mother Church, dedicated to Our lady of the Assumption and erected in the centre of the village. Valuable are the Baccellìs sculptures in the Assembly-room and in the war memorial Place.
Agricultural centre in the foothills of the Sila mountains, in the lower Valley of Trionto, Cropalati stands at 367 metres above sea level in the territory of the province of Cosenza.
