Calabria / Kalabrien

The structure was built by the Basilian monks of Salice Salentino probably between the 11th and 13th centuries. In the 16th century, the church and the icon were described in a manuscript that tells of an Ottoman attempt to destroy or steal the painting that allegedly took place in 1519. The church was rebuilt several times over the centuries. In the 18th century, it was converted into a hermitage, and in 1897 it acquired its current appearance.

Capo Colonna is the easternmost point of Calabria, located 12 kilometers southeast of Crotone. In 708 BC the colony of Kroton (Crotone) was founded as part of the so-called Greek colonization (8th-6th century BC). The coastal strip south of Kroton with the Capo Colonna or, as it was called at that time, the Akron Lakinion soon belonged to the territory of the polis. On the cape was the main sanctuary of the city dedicated to the goddess Hera Lacinia, The Temple of Hera Lacinia is a ruined and the last remaining feature is this Doric column. Pythagoras of Samos, Greek philosopher and the eponymous founder of Pythagoreanism, lived in Croton, where he founded a school for his numerous followers.

Stilo (Stilida) was part of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 982 it suffered damage from a battle between Otto II . and the Arab-Byzantine troops. The battle had begun near Crotone, but when Otto's troops thought they had won, they were placed here and defeated. Otto II died a year later from malaria in Rome. During the Middle Ages, the coastal inhabitants moved further inland and moved to where Stilo is today. Between 1065 and 1071 Stilo resisted the Norman invasion. At that time it was fortified. Today Stilo is a small town with a population of around 2500.

Stilo (Stilida) was part of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 982 it suffered damage from a battle between Otto II . and the Arab-Byzantine troops. The battle had begun near Crotone, but when Otto's troops thought they had won, they were placed here and defeated. Otto II died a year later from malaria in Rome. During the Middle Ages, the coastal inhabitants moved further inland and moved to where Stilo is today. Between 1065 and 1071 Stilo resisted the Norman invasion. At that time it was fortified. Today Stilo is a small town with a population of around 2500. The Cattolica was built in the 9th century when Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. It is located on the slope of Monte Consolino and mainly built of brick. It follows a plan with "inscribed cross", typical of the middle Byzantine age. The interior is divided by four columns into five similar spaces. The square central space and the angled ones are covered by domes. The angled ones have tambours with the same diameter, while the central dome is slightly taller and larger.

Stilo (Stilida) was part of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 982 it suffered damage from a battle between Otto II . and the Arab-Byzantine troops. The battle had begun near Crotone, but when Otto's troops thought they had won, they were placed here and defeated. Otto II died a year later from malaria in Rome. During the Middle Ages, the coastal inhabitants moved further inland and moved to where Stilo is today. Between 1065 and 1071 Stilo resisted the Norman invasion. At that time it was fortified. Today Stilo is a small town with a population of around 2500. The Cattolica was built in the 9th century when Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. It is located on the slope of Monte Consolino and mainly built of brick. It follows a plan with "inscribed cross", typical of the middle Byzantine age. The interior is divided by four columns into five similar spaces. The square central space and the angled ones are covered by domes. The angled ones have tambours with the same diameter, while the central dome is slightly taller and larger.

Stilo (Stilida) was part of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 982 it suffered damage from a battle between Otto II . and the Arab-Byzantine troops. The battle had begun near Crotone, but when Otto's troops thought they had won, they were placed here and defeated. Otto II died a year later from malaria in Rome. During the Middle Ages, the coastal inhabitants moved further inland and moved to where Stilo is today. Between 1065 and 1071 Stilo resisted the Norman invasion. At that time it was fortified. Today Stilo is a small town with a population of around 2500. The Cattolica was built in the 9th century when Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. It is located on the slope of Monte Consolino and mainly built of brick. It follows a plan with "inscribed cross", typical of the middle Byzantine age. The interior is divided by four columns into five similar spaces. The square central space and the angled ones are covered by domes. The angled ones have tambours with the same diameter, while the central dome is slightly taller and larger. The four columns are spolia from older buildings. Once the interior was completely covered with frescoes.

Stilo (Stilida) was part of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 982 it suffered damage from a battle between Otto II . and the Arab-Byzantine troops. The battle had begun near Crotone, but when Otto's troops thought they had won, they were placed here and defeated. Otto II died a year later from malaria in Rome. During the Middle Ages, the coastal inhabitants moved further inland and moved to where Stilo is today. Between 1065 and 1071 Stilo resisted the Norman invasion. At that time it was fortified. Today Stilo is a small town with a population of around 2500. The Cattolica was built in the 9th century when Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. It is located on the slope of Monte Consolino and mainly built of brick. It follows a plan with "inscribed cross", typical of the middle Byzantine age. The interior is divided by four columns into five similar spaces. The square central space and the angled ones are covered by domes. The angled ones have tambours with the same diameter, while the central dome is slightly taller and larger. The four columns are spolia from older buildings. Once the interior was completely covered with frescoes.

Stilo (Stilida) was part of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 982 it suffered damage from a battle between Otto II . and the Arab-Byzantine troops. The battle had begun near Crotone, but when Otto's troops thought they had won, they were placed here and defeated. Otto II died a year later from malaria in Rome. During the Middle Ages, the coastal inhabitants moved further inland and moved to where Stilo is today. Between 1065 and 1071 Stilo resisted the Norman invasion. At that time it was fortified. Today Stilo is a small town with a population of around 2500. The Cattolica was built in the 9th century when Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. It is located on the slope of Monte Consolino and mainly built of brick. It follows a plan with "inscribed cross", typical of the middle Byzantine age. The interior is divided by four columns into five similar spaces. The square central space and the angled ones are covered by domes. The angled ones have tambours with the same diameter, while the central dome is slightly taller and larger. The large fresco under the ceiling is comparably complete.

Stilo (Stilida) was part of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 982 it suffered damage from a battle between Otto II . and the Arab-Byzantine troops. The battle had begun near Crotone, but when Otto's troops thought they had won, they were placed here and defeated. Otto II died a year later from malaria in Rome. During the Middle Ages, the coastal inhabitants moved further inland and moved to where Stilo is today. Between 1065 and 1071 Stilo resisted the Norman invasion. At that time it was fortified. Today Stilo is a small town with a population of around 2500. The Cattolica was built in the 9th century when Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. It is located on the slope of Monte Consolino and mainly built of brick. It follows a plan with "inscribed cross", typical of the middle Byzantine age. The interior is divided by four columns into five similar spaces. The square central space and the angled ones are covered by domes. The angled ones have tambours with the same diameter, while the central dome is slightly taller and larger. Seen here may be the Annunciation. The little donor is on his knees to the left.

Stilo (Stilida) was part of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 982 it suffered damage from a battle between Otto II . and the Arab-Byzantine troops. The battle had begun near Crotone, but when Otto's troops thought they had won, they were placed here and defeated. Otto II died a year later from malaria in Rome. During the Middle Ages, the coastal inhabitants moved further inland and moved to where Stilo is today. Between 1065 and 1071 Stilo resisted the Norman invasion. At that time it was fortified. Today Stilo is a small town with a population of around 2500. The Cattolica was built in the 9th century when Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. It is located on the slope of Monte Consolino and mainly built of brick. It follows a plan with "inscribed cross", typical of the middle Byzantine age. The interior is divided by four columns into five similar spaces. The square central space and the angled ones are covered by domes. The angled ones have tambours with the same diameter, while the central dome is slightly taller and larger. Once the walls were covered with frescoes.

Stilo (Stilida) was part of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 982 it suffered damage from a battle between Otto II . and the Arab-Byzantine troops. The battle had begun near Crotone, but when Otto's troops thought they had won, they were placed here and defeated. Otto II died a year later from malaria in Rome. During the Middle Ages, the coastal inhabitants moved further inland and moved to where Stilo is today. Between 1065 and 1071 Stilo resisted the Norman invasion. At that time it was fortified. Today Stilo is a small town with a population of around 2500. San Francesco is a 16th-century late Baroque church with a little Lourdes chapel.

Stilo (Stilida) was part of the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 982 it suffered damage from a battle between Otto II . and the Arab-Byzantine troops. The battle had begun near Crotone, but when Otto's troops thought they had won, they were placed here and defeated. Otto II died a year later from malaria in Rome. During the Middle Ages, the coastal inhabitants moved further inland and moved to where Stilo is today. Between 1065 and 1071 Stilo resisted the Norman invasion. At that time it was fortified. Today Stilo is a small town with a population of around 2500. The church was built in the 15th century as part of a Dominican monastery, of which only ruins remain. OIt was built over a Byzantine church. In 1783, the monastery collapsed to its foundations during an earthquake. After being rebuilt in 1787, it became the seat of the parish. In 1927 it was closed for worship because of the collapse of the vault. It was partially rebuilt and in 1998 it was completely restored.

Until the 11th century, Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. In the 9th century a Greek monk, St. John Theristos, worked here. After his death, his fame grew, he was declared a saint and his "holy spring" became a pilgrimage destination. In the 11th century a Byzantine monastery was founded. After the Norman conquest, it became one of the most important Basilian monasteries in southern Italy. It experienced a period of decline until 1579, when it once again became a Basilian center in Calabria with the founding of the Basilian Order of Italy. In the 17th century, however, the monastery was damaged by brigandage and the monks decided to move to a larger monastery, taking with them the relics of their namesake patron saint. After the Napoleonic conquest of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, it was acquired by the Municipality of Bivongi, which sold it to private owners. In 1980 it was sold back to the municipality and in the 1990s it was returned to the Italian Basilian Order. In 2001, the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I visited the monastery and returned the relic of the saint. The building is an example of the transition between the Byzantine and Norman styles in the architecture of southern Italy.

Until the 11th century, Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. In the 9th century a Greek monk, St. John Theristos, worked here. After his death, his fame grew, he was declared a saint and his "holy spring" became a pilgrimage destination. In the 11th century a Byzantine monastery was founded. After the Norman conquest, it became one of the most important Basilian monasteries in southern Italy. It experienced a period of decline until 1579, when it once again became a Basilian center in Calabria with the founding of the Basilian Order of Italy. In the 17th century, however, the monastery was damaged by brigandage and the monks decided to move to a larger monastery, taking with them the relics of their namesake patron saint. After the Napoleonic conquest of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, it was acquired by the Municipality of Bivongi, which sold it to private owners. In 1980 it was sold back to the municipality and in the 1990s it was returned to the Italian Basilian Order. In 2001, the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I visited the monastery and returned the relic of the saint. The building (29m x 11m) is an example of the transition between the Byzantine and Norman styles in the architecture of southern Italy.

Until the 11th century, Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. In the 9th century a Greek monk, St. John Theristos, worked here. After his death, his fame grew, he was declared a saint and his "holy spring" became a pilgrimage destination. In the 11th century a Byzantine monastery was founded. After the Norman conquest, it became one of the most important Basilian monasteries in southern Italy. It experienced a period of decline until 1579, when it once again became a Basilian center in Calabria with the founding of the Basilian Order of Italy. In the 17th century, however, the monastery was damaged by brigandage and the monks decided to move to a larger monastery, taking with them the relics of their namesake patron saint. After the Napoleonic conquest of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, it was acquired by the Municipality of Bivongi, which sold it to private owners. In 1980 it was sold back to the municipality and in the 1990s it was returned to the Italian Basilian Order. In 2001, the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I visited the monastery and returned the relic of the saint. The building (29m x 11m) is an example of the transition between the Byzantine and Norman styles in the architecture of southern Italy.

Until the 11th century, Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. In the 9th century a Greek monk, St. John Theristos, worked here. After his death, his fame grew, he was declared a saint and his "holy spring" became a pilgrimage destination. In the 11th century a Byzantine monastery was founded. After the Norman conquest, it became one of the most important Basilian monasteries in southern Italy. It experienced a period of decline until 1579, when it once again became a Basilian center in Calabria with the founding of the Basilian Order of Italy. In the 17th century, however, the monastery was damaged by brigandage and the monks decided to move to a larger monastery, taking with them the relics of their namesake patron saint. After the Napoleonic conquest of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, it was acquired by the Municipality of Bivongi, which sold it to private owners. In 1980 it was sold back to the municipality and in the 1990s it was returned to the Italian Basilian Order. In 2001, the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I visited the monastery and returned the relic of the saint. The building (29m x 11m) is an example of the transition between the Byzantine and Norman styles in the architecture of southern Italy. Inside there are also traces of Byzantine frescoes. Once the walls were completely painted.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The "Basilica Concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta di Gerace" is one of the largest sacred buildings in the region. The construction was started in the Norman period, with a projecting transept that reflects the Norman customs. The church was consecrated for worship in 1045. In the Swabian period, in 1222, a second consecration took place. The building was hit by several earthquakes over the centuries, which led to a number of significant changes.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The "basilica concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta di Gerace" is one of the largest sacred buildings in the region. The construction was started in the Norman period, with a projecting transept that reflects the Norman customs. The church was consecrated for worship in 1045. In the Swabian period, in 1222, a second consecration took place. The building was hit by several earthquakes over the centuries, which led to a number of significant changes. The interior of the basilical church has three large naves, which make up the longest arm of a Latin cross. They are separated by two rows of ten columns, made of polychrome marble and granite, all varying in quality and size. The columns come from the villas of the marina of ancient Pagliopoli/Locri, while the capitals are partly ancient and partly remade.