Catanzaro, Regional capital in Calabria, Italy
Catanzaro is the regional capital of Calabria and sits on a rocky promontory above the Ionian Sea. The old town spreads across several hills and is crossed by a modern bridge that spans the valley below.
In the tenth century Byzantine forces built a fort to protect against invasions from the coast. The settlement later developed into a provincial capital and reached its peak as a silk trading center during the Baroque period.
The name comes from Greek and refers to the city's position high above the sea. In the side streets you still find artisans selling silk fabrics and rugs that connect to the long weaving tradition here.
The main tree-lined streets invite you to walk through the center, and from there you can climb the surrounding hills for sea views. Buses connect the downtown area with residential neighborhoods and the nearby Lamezia Terme airport.
In the sixteenth century weaving workshops developed a special technique here for making black velvet that was considered particularly high quality. This technique was later adopted by European palaces to create formal garments.
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