The Most Beautiful Village in Italy

Santa Severina has been included in the circuit of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, and here it is impossible not to be captivated by the Byzantine Charm emanating from the historic buildings, and the breathtaking views stretching as far as the sea. Strolling through the narrow, winding streets of the Historical Centre of Santa Severina is a fascinating experience. Stone houses, flower-decked balconies, cosy squares such as Piazza Campo and minor churches create a charming atmosphere that tells of centuries of history and tradition. A walk through the Grecìa District, in the eastern part of the town, which has retained virtually unchanged its original urban structure. Here, the houses appear to be carved into the rock. From Grecìa, we move on to the nearby Judea District, an ancient Jewish Quarter until the 16th century.

But the most evocative place is Piazza del Campo, which, with its name, preserves its identity as a parade ground, dividing the Norman Castle and the municipal Villa from the Co-cathedral of Sant’Anastasia, with its Baptistery, the oldest Byzantine Monument in the whole of Calabria, and the Diocesan Museum. The square immediately conveys the charm of this ‘Medieval’ Village, which, amid myths, legends and history, takes on a magical dimension. The Belvedere offers a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside and the Sila Mountains. It is the ideal place to admire the panorama and take souvenir photos of this fascinating village.

The southern side of the square is dominated by the majestic Norman Castle built in the early 11th century on the ruins of an earlier Byzantine Fortification. Over the centuries it was modified and enlarged and today it is magnificently preserved and considered one of the most beautiful and complex military works in Calabria. This imposing Norman Castle, with its massive towers, inner courtyards and frescoed rooms, offers an extraordinary panoramic view of the Neto Valley. The Castle also houses a Museum with archaeological finds and exhibitions that tell the story of the village and its inhabitants.

The Cathedral of St Anastasia is one of the most important churches in Calabria, founded in the 9th century and rebuilt several times in the following centuries. Inside the Cathedral, one can admire precious frescoes, a crypt with ancient tombs and an iconostasis from the Byzantine Period, testifying to the Religious and Historical importance of the Village.

The Byzantine Baptistery is a unique structure in Calabria, one of the oldest and most significant Byzantine buildings in the region, dating back to the 7th-8th centuries. Circular in shape with a central dome, it still retains traces of the original frescoes. It is a jewel of Byzantine Art and Architecture, a symbol of the ancient cultural link between Calabria and the East.

The Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art is located next to the Cathedral and houses a vast collection of sacred art works, including paintings, sculptures, liturgical vestments and reliquaries, covering a time span from the Middle Ages to the Baroque Period. A visit that allows one to discover the artistic and cultural wealth of the religious community of Santa Severina.

The Archbishop’s Palace: An elegant Palace serving as the Residence of The Archbishops, with a Renaissance façade and an ornate portico. Inside are frescoed rooms and a Historical Library with ancient volumes and manuscripts.

The Porta di Terra is the main entrance to the village, dating back to Medieval Times. Passing through it is like taking a plunge into the past, entering a village that still preserves its original structure intact.

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Santa Severina (MACSS) is one of the cultural gems of the village and represents a meeting point between past and present, combining the historicity of the place with modern artistic expression. Located in a historic building in the heart of the village, the Museum houses a diverse collection of works by contemporary artists, both local and international.