Riviera dei Cedri: Diamante, isole di Dino e Cirella (sea and mountains between history and culinary delights) Proposal 1
Starting from the border Calabrian Luke meets Tortora Marina first stop on the coast, the town is on the sand, but it is more immediate on the heights that have been found traces of the first remotest settlements. In the Cave of the Shrine of Our Lady, the presence of man since Palelolitico higher in the Villanovan period is evidenced by numerous artefacts. The origins of Praia are definitely Byzantine. But many of Praia’s history is in the cave where, exactly, is placed the Sanctuary of the Madonna. In this cave, in fact, many were the finds of artifacts Paleolithic, Neolithic and Late Roman Apennines. Set above the village is the fourteenth-century Castle or Rocca di Praia, a small fortress preserved and adapted by the current owners. Praia a Mare is a haven for lovers of the sea. It lies along a sandy beach, in front of the mythical island of Dino, where according to legend, Ulysses landed. After Praia, Scalea, willing to staircase, on the hill of a promontory as well as the name evokes.
The findings in the Tower of Talao evidence of human presence in the Paleolithic era. Scalea Norman fortress already sided with the Aragonese in the War of the Vespers.
The town, in its old part, he still almost intact medieval lines. Of the Castle, Norman fortress, the ruins of the towers remain. Even the churches retain, despite the renovations, the old medieval system. In a chapel of the Church of S. Nicholas of Plateis is still guarded the mausoleum of 1343 Admiral Ademario Romano.
Further north the village of Diamond overlooking the sea, the famous “ town of murals and chili ” has a historical center enriched with murals created by artists from around the world, the impression of the passer is walk in an open air museum.
Diamond near the hamlet to the north of Cirencester, another legendary landing on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
They would have founded the Ausonians, only to be inhabited by Enotri and Bruzi. A Cirencester, would be arrived refugees after the defeat of the Achaean Trojans. It suffered the fury when the Carthaginian Hannibal came into the regions of Calabria, but was rebuilt by the Romans.
After the period of Bourbon rule in the Napoleonic era, the Duke of Cirencester, Catalan-Gonzaga, poorly tolerant beginning of the French supremacy provoked a conflict that marked the end of his story. In 1806, Cirencester was shelled and finally destroyed by Napoleon’s fleet, which responded well to the rebellion of the Duke. The general who ordered the assault was called championnet, and not “The Formique” as previously thought, giving rise to the legend that he wanted to Cirencester destroyed by giant ants (famous ruins of Cirencester Old). Cirencester is reflected in the sea, on a beautiful stretch of coast, opposite the island of Cirencester with its lookout tower, caves and inlets and created by erosion from the sea.
Other place of historic interest is the picturesque village of Sangineto characteristic narrow streets that you harrowing up the hill until you reach the ruins of the castle.
From the village you reach a few kilometers of road on the homonymous lake Pen mountainside. From here, about 1000 m above sea level, you can enjoy the fantastic view of the Tyrrhenian coast.
