Catanzaro (Katantheros, Katastarioi Lokroi) is a city in Calabria, Italy, the capital of both the province of Catanzaro and the whole region of Calabria.

The town rises on a rock and is split into two parts by the steep Fiumarella valley, the two sections being connected by a huge concrete steel bridge (the Viadotto Morandi), among the highest in Europe, built in 1960 on a design by architect Riccardo Morandi. The beach side neighborhood Catanzaro Lido, located about 5 kilometers south, has a wide promenade and a harbor for small fishing and pleasure boats.

History

The origins of the name are debated. Some say it derived from two Byzantine generals, Kattaro and Zaro, while another theory is that Zaro was the original name of the river (Zarapotamo), so that katà Zaro would mean beyond the river. According to Luigi Settembrini, the name could also be derived by the Greek words kata'- antheros "on the flowery (hills)"

The old town was built over three hills (St. Trifone or St. Rocco Hill; Episcopate's Hill; St. John's Hill) in Byzantine times.

In the 15th century, under the Aragonese domination of southern Italy, Catanzaro was the silk producing capital of the world that created silks and lace for the world's courts and Vatican. Merchants often came from all over Europe to buy the silk in the port of Reggio Calabria before Pentecost day.

During the revolt of Calabrian barons of 1528, the Spanish viceroy Pedro Alarcon de Mendoza with 11,000 loyal troops resisted a long siege, gaining for the city the title of magnifica at fidelissima by emperor Charles V and the right to mint coin.

A devastating earthquake in 1783 wiped away churches, palaces and a large part of the population, and a second in earthquake in 1832 completed the destruction of most of the ancient historical buildings.

Catanzaro was once a flourishing Byzantine center as well as an early Norman outpost. The former Norman castle still remains today.

Main sights

• Duomo (Cathedral). Built over a Norman cathedral built in 1121, in the 16th century it received a Renaissance façade which was however destroyed in 1638. The church was almost entirely destroyed by the bombings of 1943, and was later rebuilt.
• Basilica dell'Immacolata.
• Church of the Santissimo Rosario (15th or 16th century), with a Renaissance façade and a single nave interior.
• Church of Sant'Omobono (11th or 12th century).
• Byzantine small church of Sant'Omobono (11th century).
• Chiesa dell'Osservanza, or Santa Teresa. In the interior is the 16th century Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre and a statue of "Madonna delle Grazie" by Antonello Gagini.
• Remains of the Norman Castle.
• Porta di S. Agostino and Porta di Stratò, two gates which are the last remains of the medieval walls, demolished in 1805.
• Palazzo de' Nobili (15th century), now Town Hall.

Notable people

Catanzaro is home of the Nobel prize winner Renato Dulbecco and of the contemporary artist Mimmo Rotella, inventor of the Decollage.

Economy

Catanzaro's economy is mostly based on tertiary and services. Industries are mostly medium- and small-size companies working with a local market.

Transportation

Catanzaro is served by the SS106 Jonica state road which connects it to the A3 Highway.

In the city centre is a funicular line with three stations. A metropolitan service (with c. 1,600,000 users per year, with 20 trains working) is provided by Ferrovie della Calabria, with a total of 11 railway stations in the city, plus others in 12 comuni of the hinterland. The rest of the public transportation system is based on 49 bus lines of AMC (Azienda per la Mobilità Catanzaro).

External links

• Official website
• Accademia di Belle Arti - Catanzaro
• Calabria's History, Culture, Language and Genealogy