Santa Severina sits on a rocky promontory amid a broad valley. The town brings together important examples of sacred architecture and a landscape that can also be experienced from nearby Monte Fuscaldo. Visitors who want to include culture and nature in their stay will find different ways to do so—from the cathedral and baptistery to the paths around the mountain summit.
History from the Oenotrians to Byzantium
Santa Severina’s foundation is thought to be attributable to the Oenotrians, an Italic people who lived in the area before Greek colonisation. The town was once called Siberene. Under Byzantine rule, Santa Severina developed into an important religious centre and became a metropolitan see directly dependent on Byzantium. These historical milestones give the town’s history a long timespan.
Santa Severina is also the birthplace of Pope Zachary, who was pope from 741 to 752. The town’s connection to church history is particularly tangible in its buildings and collections.
Cathedral and Baptistery
The Concattedrale di Sant’Anastasia was built between 1274 and 1295 and retains the old portal of the Stefanuzia building. Among its notable features is an ambo made of Calabrian marble. Its central marble panel depicts Jesus among the teachers of the law. The cathedral’s construction period, surviving portal and marble depiction make it a tangible starting point for anyone interested in architecture and religious art.
The baptistery dates from the 7th to the 9th century AD and was built in the Byzantine style. Inside are eight reused granite columns. It also contains an almost intact 14th-century depiction of Saint Jerome doing penance. The cathedral and baptistery thus point to different periods and artistic forms.
Treasures in the Diocesan Museum
The Diocesan Museum was established in 1998 in the archbishop’s palace. The palace is next to the cathedral and opposite the castle. The museum mainly displays historical and art-historical items from the cathedral and the bishop’s see. They span the period from the Early Middle Ages to the 20th century. The collection complements the buildings with artefacts from several centuries, adding another dimension to your exploration of the town.
Landscape around Monte Fuscaldo
From the summit of nearby Monte Fuscaldo, you can enjoy views of the Sila plateau and Santa Severina. The paths around the summit pass through ravine-like valleys. Rare birds of prey, including Egyptian vultures, eagle owls and red kites, live there. This offers a nature-focused complement to the cultural attractions: the views take in the wider landscape, while the valleys provide a habitat for the bird species mentioned.
If you are interested in the landscape and birdlife, the paths around the summit offer a distinct facet of your stay. The cathedral, museum and baptistery, by contrast, focus on history and art. You can think of these as different travel themes without having to make them part of a fixed itinerary.
Wine and Local Products
At the Castello di Santa Severina, the Enoteca Comunale Valle del Neto showcases wineries whose wine-growing areas are touched by the legendary Neto River. Tastings are available by prior reservation. As reservation arrangements and programmes may change, it is best to check the details before your visit.
The Feast of Saint Anastasia also offers a taste of the local food culture: it features food stalls where you can sample typical products from the area. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the dates and programme.
Choose Your Stay to Suit Your Interests
When looking for a hotel in Santa Severina, you can start by deciding which theme you want to shape your trip: sacred architecture and historical artefacts, the landscape around Monte Fuscaldo, or wine and local products. This lets you choose based on what you want to explore while you are there and plan a stay that suits your interests.
Discover more destinations: Steccato, Strongoli, Sant'Anna, Roccabernarda, Le Castella, Melissa, Isola Di Capo Rizzuto, Marina Di Strongoli
For the broader travel overview: Crotone.
