L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 12 L'Italo-Americano ty, preserving their tradi- t i o n s , c o s t u m e s , a n d dialects. T h e S i l a ' s u r b a n l a n d - scape is dotted with charm- i n g t o w n s a n d v i l l a g e s . Acri, often referred to as the "door to Sila," has inter- esting historical sites like the ruins of a feudal castle and the 19th-century Basili- ca del Beato Angelo d'Acri. C a m i g l i a t e l l o S i l a n o i s known for its markets and as a hub for winter sports, while San Giovanni in Fiore, the largest town in the Sila, is home to the Abbey of Flo- rens, a significant example of medieval monastic archi- tecture. Local culinary tradi- tions largely find their ori- gins in the area's agricultur- al and pastoral heritage: the r e g i o n i s f a m o u s f o r i t s high-quality dairy products, p a r t i c u l a r l y c a c i o c a v a l l o cheese, which holds a Pro- tected Designation of Origin ( P D O ) s t a t u s . T h e f e r t i l e s o i l s y i e l d t h e r e n o w n e d Sila potatoes, recognized with Protected Geographi- cal Indication (PGI) status, and featuring prominently in local dishes. The wilder- ness also offers plenty of delicious treasures, includ- i n g p o r c i n i m u s h r o o m s , ment of rural communities. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the Ostrogoths and Byzantines vied for control over the area, bringing new architectural styles and gov- e r n a n c e s t r u c t u r e s . T h e Byzantines, in particular, contributed to the diffusion of Orthodox Christianity, which had a lasting religious and artistic influence on the region. During the Norman conquest of Southern Italy in the 11th century, La Sila became an important fron- t i e r r e g i o n : t h e N o r m a n s fortified towns, built monas- teries, and encouraged the spread of Latin Christianity, helping to shape the region's feudal system. One of the most culturally significant chapters in La Sila's history began, howev- er, in the 15th century, when A l b a n i a n i m m i g r a n t s fleeing Ottoman persecution settled in the area; most of t h e m w e r e f o l l o w e r s of Skanderbeg, a prominent A l b a n i a n n o b l e m a n a n d military commander who p l a y e d a c r u c i a l r o l e i n resisting Ottoman expan- sion in the Balkans. Once in Calabria, they founded com- m u n i t i e s w e c a l l t o d a y A r b ë r e s h ë , w h i c h h a v e maintained a distinct identi- abundant in the forests. W i t h s u c h a w e a l t h o f delicious traditional foods, it isn't surprising to learn t h a t c u l i n a r y s a g r e a r e p l e n t y . A m o n g t h e m o s t famous, we should remem- ber the Sila Potato Festi- val, which takes place from August to early September i n C a m i g l i a t e l l o S i l a n o , where the Sila potato is cel- e b r a t e d w i t h c u l i n a r y shows, cultural meetings, and street performances. In the fall, it's time to cele - brate the Mushroom Fes- t i v a l , d e d i c a t e d t o t h e already-mentioned porcini with tastings, workshops, and guided foraging excur- sions. T h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f L a Sila extends beyond its his- tory and natural splendor, as the area serves as a vital ecological and cultural hub, preserving both biodiversity a n d m e a n i n g f u l t r a d i - t i o n s . W i t h i t s d i v e r s e e c o s y s t e m s , h i s t o r i c a l t o w n s , a n d c u l i n a r y delights, La Sila has some- thing for every type of visi- tor: if you love adventures in the great outdoors, La Sila has something for you, and if you enjoy history or food tourism, you'll enjoy it just as much. L a k e A r v o , a n d L a k e Ampollino, provide oppor- tunities for fishing, kayak- ing, and sailing. In winter, the area transforms into a haven for snow sports, with facilities for skiing, snow- boarding, and snowshoeing, particularly around Monte Botte Donato, the highest p e a k i n t h e S i l a a t 1 , 9 2 8 meters (6,325.46 ft). This is the Sila today, but what about its historical connections? In ancient times, its forests supplied p r e c i o u s t i m b e r t o t h e Greeks, who used it to build their ships, making it a cru- c i a l r e s o u r c e f o r n a v a l expansion and trade across t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n . T h e h i g h - q u a l i t y w o o d f r o m Sila's trees was particularly valued for its strength and d u r a b i l i t y . A s c e n t u r i e s passed, the area fell under the influence of various civi- l i z a t i o n s , e a c h l e a v i n g behind a cultural imprint t h a t s h a p e d t h e r e g i o n ' s identity: the Romans, recog- nizing the strategic and eco- nomic value of the region, established settlements and road networks, integrating t h e a r e a i n t o t h e i r v a s t e m p i r e ; t h e y a l s o i n t r o - duced agricultural practices that influenced the develop- L a S i l a i s a m o u n t a i n o u s p l a t e a u t h a t stretches across the provinces of C o s e n z a , C r o t o n e , a n d Catanzaro, at the very heart of the Calabria region. C o v e r i n g a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 , 5 0 0 s q u a r e k i l o m e t e r s ( 1 5 0 , 0 0 0 h e c t a r e s ) , i t i s known for its dense forests, hills, and pristine lakes. The n a m e S i l a i s b e l i e v e d t o derive from the Latin silva, meaning "forest." I n 2 0 0 2 , t h e S i l a National Park was created to protect the area's unique e c o s y s t e m s a n d p r o m o t e s u s t a i n a b l e t o u r i s m . T h e park is divided into three main areas: Sila Grande, S i l a P i c c o l a , a n d S i l a Greca, each offering dis- tinct landscapes and cultur- al experiences. The park's flora is very diverse, with vast expanses of coniferous and deciduous forests: here, b e e c h , o a k , a n d c h e s t n u t t r e e s d o m i n a t e t h e l a n d - s c a p e , i n t e r s p e r s e d w i t h rare species like the Cal- abrian pine. A highlight of t h e f l o r a S i l a n a a r e t h e Giganti della Sila (Giants o f t h e S i l a ) , a g r o u p o f a n c i e n t l a r c h p i n e s a n d sycamore maples located in t h e F a l l i s t r o N a t u r e Reserve; some of them are over 350 years old, reaching heights of up to 45 meters and trunk diameters exceed- ing 2 meters. Local f auna is equally impressive, as the park pro- vides a habitat for a variety o f w i l d l i f e , i n c l u d i n g t h e A p e n n i n e w o l f , r o e d e e r , w i l d b o a r , a n d t h e r a r e European otter. Bird enthu- siasts can observe species such as the peregrine falcon, g o l d e n e a g l e , a n d b l a c k w o o d p e c k e r . T h e p a r k ' s diverse ecosystems also sup- port a rich array of amphib- ians and reptiles. Visitors to the Park can e n g a g e i n a p l e t h o r a o f activities year-round. Hik- i n g a n d m o u n t a i n b i k i n g trails crisscross the park, offering routes for all skill levels through breathtaking landscapes; the park's lakes, i n c l u d i n g L a k e C e c i t a , CHIARA D'ALESSIO A breathtaking view of La Sila's nature (Photo: Massimo Valicchia/Dreamstime) and, bottom left, a four-legged friend enjoying Lake Cecita (Photo: Lachris77/Dreamstime) La Sila: a land of nature, beauty, and folklore ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

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