The historic center of Catanzaro has medieval origins. Kilometers of narrow streets lined with so-called "bassi" and imposing palaces, once home to old convents or noble residences of the city's most prominent families.
Walking through the old districts, you get the feeling of immersing yourself in the city's most authentic history.
The association Cara Catanzaro ODV and the local section of the Italian Alpine Club have created a route that winds for about 4 km, purposely designed to lead visitors to the most hidden places of the historic city.
The route starts from the San Giovanni Monumental Complex, following the signs indicating the circular route that will bring you back to the starting point.
The "Alleyway Route" is a project conceived and carried out by the "Cara Catanzaro ODV" association in collaboration with the Catanzaro branch of the Italian Alpine Club)
1) SAN GIOVANNI
The "Alleyway Route"(*) starts from Piazza Garibaldi, framed by the impressive Church of SS Giovanni Battista and Evangelista and the Monumental Complex with its panoramic terrace. Continue towards Case Arse (see box on the side). Taking a narrow alley, you reach Largo Prigioni. Returning to via Case Arse, proceed to the Sant’Angelo district.
2) COCULI
From largo S. Angelo, via Marincoli Politi and Scalfaro, you reach p.zza Larussa, called “Coculi”, so named for the shape of the silkworm cocoons.
3) PIANICELLO
Taking via Burza towards via Cefaly, you arrive at the Pianicello district where, in the small square, you can admire Pal. Ricca, from the 1500s, whose facade is adorned with two identical portals, and the birthplace of the playwright Nino Gemelli. Following the route towards Vico Santa Maria di Mezzogiorno, you reach the church whose facade preserves a fresco of the Madonna by the painter Gioacchino Lamanna.
4) STELLA
Returning to via De Jessi, the lovers’ street, you enter the Stella district, which once housed the former Orphanage and the adjacent church. Today it is a Conservatory.
5) FILANDA
Continuing south, you reach the Filanda, once known as the site of the silk weavers’ workshops and for the cultivation of mulberry trees.
6) BELLAVISTA
Crossing the Filanda, you go down the Carbone descent, where there is a votive shrine dedicated to the Madonna del Carbone. Going up, you reach via Gradoni, which ends at the Church of San Rocco. From here, take Piazza Roma, which leads to the city’s panoramic promenade, called Bellavista. From here, a tangle of alleys leads to the small square of Santa Barbara, from where you can reach the Vallotta district.
7) CARMINE
We are on via dei Carbonai, once known for the coal trade. Continuing towards the Church of Carmine, you can visit the wooden Oratory and enter the Grecìa district.
8) GRECÌA
The Grecìa district is the city’s first residential settlement. It looks like a small village, full of alleys whose street names recall the glorious art of silk. Walking the road from Carmine to the Town Hall, you reach the building that houses the Academy of Fine Arts, which was once the home of the Educandato.
9) GIUDECCA
Arriving at Pal. De Nobili, continue on via Jannoni, where the Politeama Theater is located. Opposite stands the Jewish quarter, the Giudecca, and here you can admire the beautiful Palazzo Fazzari.
10) MONTECORVINO
Returning to salita Jannoni, on the right is the Montecorvino alley next to the small church of the same name dedicated to the Child Madonna. Continuing along via Sensales, take the staircase that leads to c.so Mazzini.
SAN GIOVANNI
Take largo Serravalle, cross c.so Mazzini, and from here via Alberghi and via Assanti, you reach via De Grazia, where you can admire the small church of S. Omobono from the 11th-12th centuries, the oldest in the city, which retains its medieval structure. From its foundation, Catanzaro was built with precise defensive purposes, able to withstand long sieges. It was a fortress city equipped with towers, bastions, and enclosed by a city wall about 7 km long.
CASE ARSE DISTRICT Originally called "Borgo Paradiso", for the beauty of its gardens and homes, until 1528, when Antonio Centelles, the tyrant of the time, set fire to the entire district, which has since retained in its name the memory of the dramatic event. Taking one of the countless little alleys, you reach "Largo Prigioni", where you can admire a picturesque view of the tower of the ancient feudal castle. Also noteworthy is the small church of Sant'Angelo, once the religious seat of the Siculi and the Amalfitani, who were a community of merchants and artisans of the precious Catanzaro fabrics.
