Girifalco, Italian comune
Girifalco is a small commune in the province of Catanzaro, situated on a hill at the foot of Monte Covello. Narrow streets wind through old buildings from different centuries, past small shops and homes with simple facades throughout the town.
Girifalco originated in 836 when two ancient villages named Toco and Caria were destroyed by Saracen raids. The surviving residents settled on a rocky outcrop called Pietra dei Monaci and established the new settlement from there.
The name Girifalco comes from a falcon that once circled this area, a heritage still alive in local stories today. The old town with its narrow streets and simple facades shows how residents remain connected to their past through daily life and traditions.
The town is small enough to explore on foot, and most sights are within short walking distance. Visitors should take time to wander the narrow streets at a slow pace and observe daily life around them.
Girifalco holds a mysterious small sculpture called the Saurus that resembles a dinosaur with plates down its back. This figure comes from a collection dating back many centuries and raises questions about the region's ancient past.
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