Squillace: Terra Cotta, A Castle and Views of the Boot
Less than 15 minutes down the Ionian Coast from my house-and our B&B-is the sprawling, medieval town of Squillace whose traditional terra cotta, intriguing history and even its founding are points of interest.
According to legend, Skyllètion could have been founded by Ulysses himself on his return home from the Trojan War and pottery found in the ruins from the 6th Century BC confirm those suspicions. In 123 BC, the Romans arrived, conquered the village, covered the streets, forums and buildings with their own architecture and renamed the colony Scolacium.
In the early Middle Ages, raids forced citizens of Scolacium to flee their village. They retreated seven miles south and settled in modern-day Squillace.
In 1485 the future King of Naples, Federico d’Aragona became the Prince of Squillace, the town that also served as the birthplace of notable Italian figures such as Cassiodoro (485 AD), counselor of the King of Goths and Guglielmo Pepe who has been described as “the Father of the Italian Revolution.”
Both Palazzo Pepe and La Casa di Cassiodoro (of which at least some locals doubt the origins) can still be seen but visitors to Squillace’s historical center should also spend time exploring the winding cobblestone streets and visiting the 18th Century Duomo of the Vergine Assunta in Cielo (The Risen Virgin in Heaven). The Norman Castle dominates the crag overlooking the Gulf of Squillace and panoramic views can be seen from every crook and corner of the old town.
Before the earthquake of 1783, Squillace housed 28 churches, three monasteries and four convents and ruins of many of them, including the Templar Church and Santa Chiara Monastery are worth a glance.
Squillace is well-known throughout the country for its handmade terra cotta and local artisans have stayed true to Squillace's graffito art. However, local shop owners have also branched out and each artist now features handmade products that reflect his or her personal creativity. On the road leading to the coast is the Shrine of the Virgin of the Bridge, named in the 13th Century for the discovery of a picture that represented a Holy Image of Mary on the wall, while a short walk down to the river will reveal the more ominous-sounding Devil's Bridge.
My Bella Vita Travel now has an exclusive day tour of Squillace where travelers can visit the recently restored, yet rarely-opened castle, enjoy a private ceramics-making demonstration and paint their own terra cotta souvenir. We'll even take you back to where it all started-in Scolacium and show you the Roman and Greek ruins of the town and if you are up for it - walk down to the Devil's Bridge for a unique view of old Squillace.
Photo: Squillace's Norman castle overlooks the gulf and dominates the small piazza
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Did you know we can arrange tours that include a visit to Squillace? Ask for it to be included in your Custom Vacation. Private Group Tours are also available.
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Grazie e Buon Viaggio!
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