Praia a Mare, Coastal commune in Province of Cosenza, Italy
Praia a Mare is a coastal town on the Tyrrhenian Sea with a long sandy beach interrupted by rocky sections, particularly toward the south. The settlement is divided into several neighborhoods like Colcinello, Foresta, Fortino, and Fiuzzi that form the larger community.
The settlement was founded in the 15th century by Slavic refugees who arrived and established the original name Praia degli Schiavi. The town received its current official name in 1928.
The sanctuary of Madonna della Grotta sits within ancient caves right along the waterfront and remains a meaningful place for pilgrims who visit to pray. Visitors can walk into these cave chambers and experience the spiritual sense that has drawn people here over generations.
The best time to visit is between spring and autumn when weather is mild and the sea is warm for swimming. Regional buses and trains connect the town to surrounding areas in the province.
Just offshore sits Dino Island, only about 100 meters from the shore, home to several sea caves carved into the rock. The most famous is the Grotta Azzurra, where the water displays shifting shades of blue.
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