"A Portrait of Cosenza" a Cosenza Travel Page by Tolik

Cosenza is a provincial capital in the Calabria region, Southern Italy (the Calabria Region forms the toe of Italy's boot).

There are many reasons to visit Calabria. Visitors are attracted by Calabria's beautiful beaches, historic buildings and mountain landscapes. Called "the little Switzerland," the local Sila Mountains offer some of southern Italy's best hiking, fishing, and camping.

Cosenza, the most northerly and extensive of the Calabrian provinces, dominated to the north by the Pollino mountains and to the south by the Sila mountains. Set in a landscape of typically alpine climate, adorned by three beautiful lakes, the province of Cosenza offers true Mediterranean spirit.

Cosenza is a unique place not only in Italy but the whole Europe. Here in one week you can easily explore mountains and two coasts: the Tyrrehenian, with wide sandy beaches and high cliffs; and the Ionian, where mountains and hills descend slowly towards the sea (where deserted golden or white sandy beaches await for you).

Cosenza is the largest city in Calabria. Home to the Swabian - Normann Castle, a cathedral on Pancrazio Hill, and several interesting buildings in the centro storico, it has the somewhat sleepy air of a quiet provincial capital. Try to spend a few moments in the quaint cloisters of San Domenico, and at the 13th century San Francesco d'Assisi church. Cosenza also makes a fine starting point for a trip to La Sila, one of Europe's great forest wonderlands.

You should also visit some interesting places in the Cosenza area, full of massive manors raised by the Normans and Swabians.