Cosenza
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 14 March 2022
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The city of Cosenza is the capital of the Province of Cosenza with a population of 67,270 inhabitants. Standing at an elevation of 238 metres above sea level, the city occupies a position between the Sila National Park to its east and the Tyrrhenian Coast to its west. Catanzaro, the regional capital of Calabria is 100 kilometres south east of Cosenza.
Main sights in the city include the cathedral (Duomo di Cosenza) and the 13th century Swabian Castle (Castello Svevo) which sits on a hill overlooking the city centre, affording panoramic views. |
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An interesting legend surrounds Cosenza: that of the Visigoth King, Alaric I. In 410 AD the Visigoths had just sacked Rome before continuing their rampage south. The king is said to have died in Cosenza of a mystery illness but the greater mystery surrounds the location of his tomb. In order to protect his vast fortune, the Visigoths decided to bury the king under the River Busento which required a large number of slaves to tirelessly divert the flow of the river before constructing the tomb.
Once the king and his treasure were buried, the river was once again allowed to flow over it and the poor slaves were ruthlessly killed so that the secret wouldn't get out (they obviously must have let one or two escapees through the net!). With such a vast treasure rumoured to be under the river, the intervening years have seen all kinds of attempts to recover it but none as yet has borne fruit.
Cosenza has a centro storico (old town) but also a newer area and it's the latter where you'll find most of the shops and restaurants. The main square in this area is Piazza Bilotti and the main shopping street, Corso Mazzini.
Cosenza's main train station is called Stazione di Cosenza and is located at the edge of the city, around 2.5 kilometres from Piazza Bilotti; a walk of half an hour or a 7 minute taxi ride. By train you can reach the seaside towns of Paola (33 minutes) and Amantea (51 minutes) without having to change trains.
The most convenient airport for Cosenza is Lamezia Terme Airport which is 72 kilometres away, a journey of around an hour.
Once the king and his treasure were buried, the river was once again allowed to flow over it and the poor slaves were ruthlessly killed so that the secret wouldn't get out (they obviously must have let one or two escapees through the net!). With such a vast treasure rumoured to be under the river, the intervening years have seen all kinds of attempts to recover it but none as yet has borne fruit.
Cosenza has a centro storico (old town) but also a newer area and it's the latter where you'll find most of the shops and restaurants. The main square in this area is Piazza Bilotti and the main shopping street, Corso Mazzini.
Cosenza's main train station is called Stazione di Cosenza and is located at the edge of the city, around 2.5 kilometres from Piazza Bilotti; a walk of half an hour or a 7 minute taxi ride. By train you can reach the seaside towns of Paola (33 minutes) and Amantea (51 minutes) without having to change trains.
The most convenient airport for Cosenza is Lamezia Terme Airport which is 72 kilometres away, a journey of around an hour.
Comune di Cosenza
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Province: Cosenza
Region: Calabria Population: 64,070 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022) Size: 37 km² Elevation: 238 metres Highlights: Duomo di Cosenza, Castello Svevo Close by: Sila National Park, Rende, Paola, San Lucido, Amantea Recommended accommodation: Vescovo Rosso Hotel |
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Public transport: train station 2.5 km from centre, local buses
By train: Paola - 33 minutes, Amantea - 51 minutes |
By car: Catanzaro - 1 hour 19 mins, Vibo Valentia 1 hour 20 mins
Fly to: Lamezia Terme Airport, 59 mins by car (72 km) |
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