Santa Severina (KR) and its castle

A jewel perched on the uplands of the Sila, Santa Severina has been named one of the Borghi più Belli d'Italia (the most beautiful villages in Italy).
The money from EU funds shows at once. Looking at the houses in this little mountain town we notice they are in good shape, unlike a large part of the houses in Calabria, which are often built without permits.
Here the running of the town, made easier, certainly, by the European funding, can be seen immediately.
Clean streets, properly kept public gardens. The main square at the top of the town is dominated by the imposing castle dating back to the eleventh (11th c.) century.
The cost of visiting the castle is really small for the quality and beauty of the place.
Another interesting visit is to the Baptistery near the small Cathedral. As in the castle, in this baptistery too we feel the Byzantine influence.
Calabria as a border land, contested over the centuries and influenced by different cultures and civilisations. That is the feeling that prevails as you visit the villages, castles and ancient buildings of this land.

To place these uplands in context, read the introduction to the geography of the southern Apennines.

What to see and how to plan the visit

The heart of the visit is the square at the top of the town, with the castle and, a short way off, the small Cathedral with its Byzantine-style Baptistery. A guided tour is available for the castle, which we recommend to understand the layered history of the place; opening times and tickets may vary, so check them before you set off. It is also worth taking time for a stroll through the streets of the village, which are neat and well kept.

Santa Severina is in the province of Crotone, on the uplands that rise towards the Sila: the visit goes well with a day of hiking on the plateau. To choose where to walk, read the fact sheet on the Sila National Park.