Cerchiara di Calabria
| Cerchiara di Calabria | |
|---|---|
| — Comune — | |
| Comune di Cerchiara di Calabria | |
 Cerchiara di Calabria
|
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| Coordinates: 39°51′N 16°23′E / 39.85°N 16.383°ECoordinates: 39°51′N 16°23′E / 39.85°N 16.383°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Calabria |
| Province | Cosenza (CS) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 81 km2 (31 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 3,025 |
| • Density | 37/km2 (97/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Cerchiaresi |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 87070 |
| Dialing code | 0981 |
| Patron saint | san Bonifacio |
| Website | Official website |
Cerchiara di Calabria is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy.
Cercharia occupies the ancient site of Arponium in Magna Graecia, under the Byzantine name of Circlarium. During the Norman period it was part of the lands of the Clermont (Chiaramonte) family, when most of the Byzantine institutions were reformed in the Latin rite.
The town is best known for the Sanctuary of S. Maria delle Armi. The cells of hermit monks of Greek origin on Monte Sellario were already established by the tenth century. In the mid-fifteenth century a cult developed in connection with ancient Byzantine icons. The small chapel shrine excavated in the rock was enlarged in the early sixteenth century under the patronage of principe Pietro Antonio Sanseverino. In following eras a hospice for pilgrims was added and the palace of the marchesi Pignatelli di Cerchiara. The resulting church is rendered asymmetrical by its position against the cliff face.
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