Mammola, Italian comune
Mammola is a commune in Calabria situated between the Aspromonte mountains and the Ionian Sea, comprising several districts and neighborhoods. The town contains several religious sites including the Abbey of San Biagio and the Sanctuary of San Nicodemo, as well as the MuSaBa, an open-air museum of contemporary art.
Founded in the 4th century BC, Mammola stands on the remains of the ancient Greek city of Malèa, which was the site of battles between Greek peoples. The area was important in ancient times because of its fortress and strategic location, and was later shaped by monks who built water mills and established religious communities.
San Nicodemo, the patron saint and founder of a local monastery, remains central to the town's spiritual life today. The annual pilgrimage to his hermitage demonstrates how residents keep their religious traditions alive and connected to their history.
The town is walkable on foot with narrow streets leading through the old center to squares and churches. Hiking trails in the surrounding area, including the Path of the Greeks, require proper equipment and planning, especially if you also want to visit waterfalls and higher elevation sites like the sanctuary.
The local food tradition centers on centuries-old stockfish drying and cooking methods, with the 'alla Mammolese' version featuring dried cod cooked slowly in earthenware pots with tomatoes, potatoes, and olives. This specialty is so tied to the town's identity that it received an official origin mark and is celebrated annually with its own festival.
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