Calabria · Crotone
Caccuri
A 646-meter Presila borgo dominated by a sixth-century Byzantine castle with a cylindrical tower built in 1882, birthplace of Renaissance statesman Cicco Simonetta.
Known for
CASTELLO
Sixth-century Byzantine fortress with the 1882 Mastrigli Tower on its ravelin, the symbol of the commune.
PREMIO LETTERARIO
National Italian essay prize held every year from 6 to 10 August in the medieval centro storico, drawing writers and critics.
CICCO SIMONETTA
Renaissance statesman, secretary to Francesco Sforza of Milan, born in Caccuri in the early fifteenth century.
When to visit
Best · May–Oct
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
- Best
- Hot or crowded
- Quiet
- Mostly closed
The festa: San Rocco, 16 August
Why come
Caccuri sits at 646 meters in the Presila, the eastern foothills of the Sila, on a rocky spur surrounded by olive groves. The Byzantines built the castle in the sixth century as a lookout to control the Neto valley below; the structure has been remodeled many times since, becoming a ducal palace under the Cavalcanti, the Spinelli, and finally the Barracco. The cylindrical Mastrigli Tower on the ravelin, designed by Roman architect Adolfo Mastrigli and finished in 1882, has become the symbol of the town and appears on its coat of arms.
Cicco Simonetta, secretary to Francesco Sforza of Milan and a key Renaissance statesman, was born here in the early fifteenth century. Every August from the 6th to the 10th the village hosts the Premio Letterario di Caccuri, an Italian essay prize that brings writers and intellectuals to the medieval streets. The sacred Holy Week drama I Giudei is staged roughly every seven years; the last performance was in 2011.
The Sunday letter
We haven’t written Caccuri’s letter yet.
One town every Sunday, with the photo, the food, the festa. Be there when this one comes up. Free, by Peter & Sophia from Pietrasanta.
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What to see
Castello di Caccuri
Sixth-century Byzantine fortress remodeled as a ducal palace by the Cavalcanti, Spinelli and Barracco families, on a rocky spur above the village.
Torre Mastrigli
Cylindrical tower on the castle ravelin, designed by Adolfo Mastrigli and completed in 1882, now the symbol of Caccuri and its coat of arms.
Centro storico medievale
Network of stone streets and alleys converging toward the castle, preserved largely intact from the medieval layout.
Chiesa Madre
Mother church of the village, holding the religious traditions of the Holy Week sacred drama I Giudei.
The slow-trip planner
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Living here
- Population 1,538
- In-betweeni
- Pharmacy: none mapped
- High school within a 30-minute drive
- Nearest airport Lamezia / Reggio, 2 h 2 min drive
- Regional capital Catanzaro, 1 h 33 min drive
Thermal baths in town: Vasche di fanghi termali Bruciarello.
Tags & datadesignations · numbers · sources
Recognised as
The numbers
- Elevation: 646 m
- Population: 1,538
- Surface area: 61.38 km²
These figures were compiled from public directories — ISTAT, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata — and from the official listings of the guides named on this page. Town details change; verify with official sources before you travel.
Close by
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