Guardia Piemontese, Coastal commune in Calabria, Italy
Guardia Piemontese is a coastal commune in Calabria set on sloping terrain that rises from the shoreline. The town features narrow streets and buildings arranged in tiers, typical of how communities settled this rugged coastal landscape.
The town took its current name in 1863 from Waldensian settlers who migrated from the Piedmont region in northern Italy. This naming reflected a significant shift in the town's identity and its ties to these religious communities.
The Waldensian community, a religious minority from northern Italy, settled here and left a lasting mark on the town's character. Their presence shaped local traditions and remains woven into the stories people tell about their place.
The town sits along a coastal road and is easily accessible when traveling through the region. The sloping terrain means walking involves hills, so comfortable shoes are helpful when exploring the streets and different levels of the settlement.
Medieval towers dating to the 11th century remain in the town, built as watchtowers to spot pirate ships approaching from the sea. These structures stand as remnants of when communities needed constant vigilance against coastal raids.
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