Cosenza is the capital of the province of the same name in the region of Calabria in southern Italy.
Cosenza travel guide
Useful information
Tourist information: Piazza XI settembre, 87100 Cosenza. Phone: +39 328 175442. Opening times: From 10:00 till 20:00; Sundays from 10:00 till 13:00 and from 16:00 till 20:00; Mondays from 10:00 till 17:00.
Town hall: Piazza dei Bruzi, 1. Phone: +39 0984 8131.
Public transport: Cosenza has its own railway station.
Tourist attractions Cosenza
The most interesting part of the city is Cosenza Vecchia, characterized by its winding alleys and impressive mansions. The old town is divided from the more modern part of the city by the river Crati.
The main attractions of the Cathedral of Cosenza are the Madonna del Pilerio Chapel and the tomb of Isabella of Aragon. The cathedral dates back to the 10th century. it is situated on the Piazza Grande (also known as Piazza Duomo).
The Swabian Castle was constructed in the 13th century, by Frederick II.
The Piazza XV Marzo is the central square, and is lined by important buildings, including the Palazzo del Governo. The Telesio Monument occupies central position.
The highlight of the Palazzo Parrasio is the Museo Diocesano.
The main street is the Corso Telesio.
A brief history of Cosenza
The original settlement of Cosentia may have been a metropolis of an Italic tribe called Bruttians, who used to live in the part of Italy that more or less corresponds to present day Calabria.
It was part of Magna Graecia, before becoming an important city under Rome.
In subsequent centuries, the city remained an important economic, as well as cultural and religious center in the area.
The town was destroyed during disputes between the Saracens and the Lombards. Rebuilt in 988, it was again destroyed, which led the population to escape and create small hamlets in the surrounding area.
Under the Lombards, Calabria became a feud. A rebellion against Roger Guiscard was suppressed after a long siege.
The next rulers, the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II encouraged construction works and the town flourished.
Cosenza rebelled when the House of Anjou dominated the area.
In the 16th century, when the House of Aragon ruled in the area, Cosenza was the capital of what was then Calabria Citeriore (or Calabria Latina). This was the northern part of the region, the southern part being called Ulteriore or Greca. The Accademia Cosentina was founded in those days, and the city became a cultural hub.
The next rulers were the Austrians (1707), who were followed by the Bourbons.
In the early 19th century, Cosenza rebelled against the French troops. The Carbonari, as the rebels were known, were extremely present in the area.
Uprisings in the first half of the 19th century were harbingers for the Risorgimento. In 1860 Cosenza became part of the newly founded Kingdom of Italy.
Curiosities
Liek Rome, Cosenza is built on seven hills.
How to get to
The E45 (to Naples and Reggio Calabria) and the E846 (to Crotone, on the other coast) highways run past Cosenza.