Praia a Mare, Cosenza
Small town in the province of Cosenza (does not count seven thousand inhabitants), Praia a Mare is one of the localities main of Calabrian tourism. The origin of the city nucleus is that of a fishing village and a port dedicated to commerce, initially linked to the nearby municipality of Aieta.
It became an autonomous municipality in 1928, in the post-war years it saw a considerable development, mainly due to investments made in the territory by two important families like Marzotto and Agnelli.
Today, however, what everything revolves around is essentially tourism. On the other hand, among truly remarkable natural and landscape views, historical monuments, artistic destinations and possible excursions in the surrounding area, there are plenty of reasons for a holiday in Praia a Mare of course.
Located on the Tyrrhenian coastal stretch north of the region, not far from the border with Campania and Basilicata, Praia a Mare is easily accessible by the Salerno — Reggio Calabria motorway, leaving at Lagonegro nord and following a thirty kilometers on the highway 586.
The local station is served by the regional service while the intercity trains stop at the nearby stations of Maratea and Scalea . Finally, the closest airports are those of Naples and Lamezia Terme.
Like any seaside resort particularly suited for tourism, there are countless accommodation facilities on the territory, suitable for satisfy any need, you can find solutions ranging from camping to the tourist village, from apartments to rent to the most luxurious hotels.
The main attraction is, of course, the beautiful beach in the city. The coast is very wide and long, characterized by a gray sand mixed with fine gravel. The sea is clean and with degrading seabeds that allow relaxing baths even for less experienced children and swimmers. Equipped and well organized, it offers the opportunity to practice water sports nearby and to enjoy your relaxation in complete safety.
The most scenic part of the coast is certainly the northernmost part, which overlooks the Island of Dino, territory that is part of the municipality of Praia a Mare and that gives the city a special atmosphere. About a kilometer long and just over a hundred meters wide, the islet, which can also be reached by swimming, rises among the blue and crystal clear waters, giving a wonderful contrast of colors thanks to the green of its lush flora.
The characteristic that most attracts tourists, however, are the numerous caves that open onto the limestone rock of its coast. Among these, the most famous are the Blue Grotto, which owes its name to the particular intensity of the color of the waters inside it, and the Lion Grotto & lt; /strong>, called so for the presence of a rock that recalls the figure of a lion lying down.
Other noteworthy caves are: the cave of sardines (whose name derives from the great presence of sardines that were once caught here, using a particular network called cianciorro), the monk's cave, the cave of the waterfalls, the pediment cave.
On the stacks in front of the Island of Dino is the scenic Tower of Fiuzzi: located on the homonymous cliff, at a point that reaches 15 meters, is one of the largest towers in the whole area, built on a previous tower from the Angevin era.
Remaining on the subject of military structures, we must also remember the defensive fort of the Fumarolo di Praia, built by the lords of Aieta in the 16th century to defend the coastal stretch, and the even oldest fortified complex of Rocca di Praia, Norman construction dating back to the fourteenth century.
On the
other hand, passing to monuments of religious origin, the Church of the Sacred Heart, the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, the most recent Church of Jesus deserve a quote Christ the Savior and, above all, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Grotto.
The latter is created inside a natural cave and is dedicated to the cult of Our Lady of the Grotto: legend has it that the very ancient wooden statue depicting the Madonna with the Child, who started worship and which today was replaced by a copy, after the original was stolen on the night of 4 March 1979, was placed in this place by the commander of a Turkish bastion. The ship on which he traveled, is told, suddenly stranded in front of the coast, unable to move further. The crew, frightened, knowing of the Christian faith of the commander and the statue of the Madonna that kept in his cabin, forced him to get rid of it. The commander, in order not to throw the statue into the sea, placed it inside one of the many caves that opened on the coast and here found her a silent shepherd from the area. From that moment the cult grew and every year, on 14, 15 and 18 of August the feast, which now combines sacred origins with popular events that have arisen in the meantime, recalls this legendary episode.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Grotto is certainly the monument that most characterizes the territory and the one around which the territory itself has grown and developed throughout history. It was right at the foot of the Sanctuary, placed inside three rocky cavities about ninety meters above sea level and from which the view opens onto the wonderful scenery offered by the Gulf of Policastro, who developed the first fishermen's homes that later, developing and increasing, gave life to what is the current municipality of Praia a Mare.
Remarkable, always returning to talk about the nature of the Sanctuary, is also the steps created to reach the place of worship, made with sea stones and on which they are mosaics depicting the Via Crucis have been made.
Among other events of the Praia summer, however, we should also mention the Praia World Festival, an international festival of ethnic music held in the central square of the Resistance.
Praia a Mare is also an excellent point from which to start for an excursion in the surrounding area: the nearby Pollino National Park is a corner of paradise in which nature has remained unspoiled and that combines with the naturalistic aspects some historical and anthropological characteristics of considerable importance. Like the Romito Cave, for example, prehistoric settlement of the Paleolithic, or the archaeological park.
Remarkable findings dating back to the Palaeolithic can also be found by visiting the Municipal Museum of Praia a Mare. Here, a series of very interesting panels traces the path of man until Roman times, focusing in particular on the reality of Calabria and above Tyrrhenian Cosentino. The museum, however, in addition to historical and ancient finds, also houses a permanent collection of modern and contemporary art that counts over two hundred works, donated by numerous Italian and non-Italian artists. only that they wanted to celebrate a territory rich in history, beauty and tradition.
Abandoning cultural scenarios and focusing on sport and fun, the most daring will be able to indulge in a dinghy or a rafting session along the Lao River, in the stretch that goes from Papasidero to Orsomarso.
Less extreme and certainly suitable for the little ones, instead, the attractions and entertainment of the Acquafans, the large water park that welcomes every season something like 130 thousand visitors. Among immense pools, water games, tunnels, sauna and steam room to relax, bars, play areas and many other attractions, even adults will certainly find what to have fun.
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