History and Origins of Falerna: A Journey into the Heart of Calabria
Falerna, located at 550 meters above sea level on the western slopes of Mount Mancuso (1327 m), is a charming town in Calabria, in the heart of the Reventino mountain range. The strategic position of Falerna makes it a central point between the Savuto valley to the north and the Sant’Eufemia plain to the south. Separated from the original nucleus, Falerna Marina, located just 8 meters above sea level, is a popular tourist resort on the Tyrrhenian coast of Catanzaro.
The Historical Origins of Falerna
The first historical reference to Falerna dates back to 1606, through a papal bull, which was initially mistakenly attributed to Falerna. Further research, conducted by the historian Armido Cario, revealed that the document actually concerned Feroleto Antico. The first real historical reference to Falerna appears in a document from 1616, which marks the beginning of its formation as an inhabited centre.
Falerna in the 17th Century: Growth and Reconstruction
The town developed in the early 17th century and grew rapidly after the devastating earthquake of 1638, which struck the Lametino region and the Savuto Valley. The d’Aquino fiefdoms were among the hardest hit by the earthquake, which caused serious human and material losses, with over 4,000 deaths in the entire area. The earthquake struck at a critical time, when the d’Aquino family was trying to retain the population to ensure a workforce on the land.
Under the leadership of Giovanna Battista d’Aquino, the princess of Castiglione, reconstruction work began. The new Falerna arose on the slopes of Mount Mancuso, where shepherds and farmers from nearby villages were encouraged to settle, transforming traditional brick dwellings.
The Growth of Falerna and the Role of the Aquinas Family
In 1648, Falerna already had 32 hearths (family units) and continued to grow during the 17th century, until it reached about 1,000 inhabitants. The demographic growth was partly favored by the protection of the feudal lords of Aquino, who administered the fiefdom until the 18th century.
In 1783, Falerna surpassed Castiglione in terms of population, reaching about 800 inhabitants against Castiglione’s 366. The d’Aquino family lost control of the fiefdom, and in 1799 the last feudal lord, Vincenzina D’Aquino Pico, died. In 1806, with the subversive laws of feudalism imposed by the French, feudalism was abolished.
The Rise of Falerna as a Capital
In 1807, Falerna officially became a “University” in the government of Martirano. After an administrative reorganization in 1811, the municipality of Falerna was created by uniting Falerna and Castiglione Marittimo, with Castiglione as the capital for the first five years. However, in 1816, with a royal decree of Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, Falerna was elevated to the status of capital, marking a turning point in its administrative history.
Taxi Service from Lamezia Terme to Falerna Marina
Lamezia Taxi Web by Vincenzo Raso offers a convenient taxi service and rental with driver from Lamezia Terme, both from the Central Station and from the International Airport of Lamezia Terme “Sant’Eufemia” to Falerna Marina, with a rate of €30 per trip.
Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. For information and reservations, do not hesitate to contact me:
- Phone: (+39) 339 750 5322
- E-mail: lameziataxiweb@gmail.com