Amantea
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| Amantea | |||
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| — Comune — | |||
| Comune di Amantea | |||
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 Amantea
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| Coordinates: 39°08′N 16°04′E / 39.133°N 16.067°E | |||
| Country | Italy | ||
| Region | Calabria | ||
| Province | Cosenza (CS) | ||
| Frazioni | Acquicella, Camoli, Campora San Giovanni, Coreca | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Praefect Commissar since 2008 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 28 km2 (10.8 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 50 m (164 ft) | ||
| Population (2007) | |||
| • Total | 13,704 | ||
| • Density | 489.4/km2 (1,267.6/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym | Amanteani | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postal code | 87032 | ||
| Dialing code | 0982 | ||
| Patron saint | St. Anthony of Padua | ||
| Saint day | June 13 | ||
| Website | Official website | ||
Amantea (Greek: Amanthea) is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy.
It is a touristical centre on the southern Tyrrhenian Sea coast. It had ferry connections to the Eolie Islands, but they have been stopped due to a Police investigation on drug trafficking between Sicily and Calabria
[edit] History
Amantea appears as a centre of its own in the 7th century, although traces of human presence from pre-historical times onwards have been found in the area. In 839 the Arabs captured it, being ousted by the Byzantines in 889. Later it was under Norman domination. In 1269 the Amanteani rebelled against the Angevines in the name of Conradin of Hohenstaufen, but were besieged by the French and defeated.
The town is mostly famous for the long resistance of its inhabitants against the French troops under Joseph Bonaparte who, in 1806-1807, attempted to conquer its castle.
[edit] Main sights
- The Rocca (Castle). First built by the Byzantines, it was strengthened by the Arabs. The current cylindrical tower is however to the Norman-Hohenstaufen age. It was long besieged by Charles of Anjou's troops in 1269. It was nearly destroyed during the French siege in 1806-1807. It is now a public structure, but is abandoned.
- Church of San Bernardino.
- Palazzo delle Clarisse (17th century).
- Palazzo Mirabelli (17th century).
- U Turriune (large tower, 14th century) at Campora San Giovanni.
- Archaeological findings in the area of Campora San Giovanni.
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