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 Introduction
Catanzaro is also home of the Nobel Prize winner professor Renato Dulbecco. Contemporary artist Mimmo Rotella, inventor of the Decollage, also lives in the town.
Arrival By Plane
Airport Lamezia Terme is the major airport of the region. It's just 30 Km from the centre of the city, about 20 minutes by car, and 40 by train. It is an international airport with many flights to and from America, Australia and the whole of Europe.
By Train
Catanzaro has its own station that can reached by most Southern railway lines.
By Car
Catanzaro is served by the SS106 Jonica state road which connects it to the coastal A3 Highway from both the north and south.
History and Culture
The origins of the town's name have been debated. Some experts say it derived from two Byzantine generals, Kattaro and Zaro. Another theory states that Zaro was the original name of the river (Zarapotamo), so that katà Zaro would mean beyond the river.
Since the 11th century, the town has been a leader in lace with a large silkworm breeding. It produced all the laces and linens used in the Vatican and supplied merchants that came from all over Europe to buy the silk in the port of Reggio Calabria soon before Pentecost day.
Catanzaro suffered a long siege at the hands of Spanish viceroy Pedro Alarcon de Mendoza. This was during the revolt of Calabrian barons of 1528 and though 11,000 loyal troops resisted the incredibly long siege, it was not enough and eventually the city had to surrender. The city's courage did earn it the title of magnifica at fidelissima by Emperor Charles V and the right to mint coin.
A devastating earthquake in 1783 wiped away churches, palaces and a large part of the population. The town was re-built; only to suffer a second quake in 1832 completed the destruction of most ancient historical buildings.
Churches and Museums
The cathedral was built over a Norman cathedral built in 1121. A new Renaissance faade was destroyed in 1638. The church was almost entirely destroyed by the bombings of 1943, and was later rebuilt.
Chiesa del Santissimo Rosario (Church of the Santissimo Rosario)
From the late 15th and early 16th century, the church has a Renaissance faade and a single nave interior.
Historical buildings and monuments
These ancient defensive structures evidence Catanzaro's early troubles with invasion. The Porta di S. Agostino and Porta di Strat are two gates which are the last remains of the medieval walls, demolished in 1805.
Viadotto Morandi
The two sections of the town are connected by this huge concrete steel bridge. It is a feat of engineering and is among the highest in Europe.
Palazzo de' Nobili
This 15th century former palace was mostly destroyed in the previous earthquakes. Upon being re-built, it is now the Town Hall.
Links
Transport
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Catanzaro Travel Guide
Single room - From 35€
Twin room - From 95€
Twin room - From 65€
Twin room - From 80€