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NORMANNI E SVEVI IN CALABRIA
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This itinerary includes to some of the strategically important places in the Province of Cosenza where the Normans and the Swabians built imposing castles. Set out from Rocca Imperiale, a small village with a picturesque historic centre clinging to a hill and dominated by the beautiful castle built by Frederick II: the castle still maintains the original portal, a tower and a window and has eight imposing towers, battlements and a moat with a drawbridge. Then proceed along the Ionian coast to Roseto Capo Spulico, a well-known tourist resort marked by the presence of the ancient Swabian castle built by Frederick II. It rises on a high spur projecting towards the sea where, facing is a unique rock known as the "mushroom of the castle". From Roseto one goes towards the hinterland to picturesque Morano Calabro, whose inhabited centre is topped by the fascinating ruins of the Norman castle. From here go southwards to splendid Altomonte with its unparalleled art treasures and the Norman castle dominating the village. Afterwards head for San Marco Argentano, a big town on the hinterland of the Province of Cosenza, that preserves magnificent Norman remains such as Drogone Tower, built by Robert the Guiscard and then transformed into a dungeon by Frederick II. Mention must also be made of interesting monuments of the same period such as the Abbey of Santa Maria della Matina and the cathedral. The itinerary ends in Cosenza, chief city of the province, with the fascinating Norman-Swabian castle dominating the entire city from the heights of Pancrazio Hill.
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Places touched by this itinerary
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