Presentation
by Nicola Frammartino

Over the past few years, two tourist guides of Caulonia have been published: the first by Rinaldo D’Aquino and Massimo Nicaso, the second by Ilario Camerieri. Between 1987-1988 the local government of Caulonia, whose mayor then was Pasquale Montagna, was on the verge of  publishing their own guide, however nothing came of it.
Ten years on, this guide has been revised and is what we are about to present. Therefor, this guide has not been improvised but is the result of serious and profound research. Other than containing some beautiful pictures of our town, the guide represents a precious source of historical information regarding Caulonia. The historical information is the result of research conducted by largely known and respected scholars.
The Calabrian surveyor of the archaeological superintendency, Dr. Maria Teresa Jannelli, portrayed the period from the prehistoric and protohistoric era to the Greek and Roman ages clearly and synthetically. It has the quality of a story which describes the ancient happenings of the Locride area. The history of Castelvetere, which spans from Byzantine times (if not earlier) up until the year 1863 has been set out by Professor Mario Pellicano Castagna historian and archivist for the Feudal ages in southern Italy and Calabria in particular.

Mario Pellicano Castagna carries us through the Middle Ages with dry and succinct words, his narration of the facts is gripping. The reader “feels he is reading the pages by a man with considerable cultural depths as well as having a deep knowledge of the facts”. Professor Gustavo Cannizzaro talks about the period from 1863, when our town changed its name back to the ancient Kaulon and modifying it to become Caulonia, up until today. The pages in which one notices the professor’s refined taste are those regarding art history in which he is a specialist. Our guide is a useful instrument for who wants to visit our territory and taste and appreciate the testimonials from past civilisations. Those who read the guide before having visited Caulonia will be compelled to make the journey;  those who make the journey book-in-hand will have beautiful memories of the places, the walls and the ancient stones which tell the story of ancient civilisations. By visiting Caulonia one not only has the opportunity to bask in the beauty of its churches, its monuments, its alleys and its squares but also in all the natural beauties, so abundantly present, which frame the town and enrich the territory. What we offer is an overall vision of our history which gives food for thought and a thousand peculiarities. It is only a guide but I feel I’m not far off the mark in saying that it is more, it is the push which encourages the young people to deepen their knowledge of our territory and our history.

Caulonia is a historic centre of great beauty and this guide will help us know and love it better. The municipal administration would like to thank all those who helped carry out this project. Unfortunately, many memories of this place which was the capital of its tiny State over the centuries, are lost forever. Partly because of earthquakes, which have ravaged the land for many centuries, and partly because of floods and continual hydro-geological instability, which destroyed the splendid rural views. Man also contributed to the destruction through carelessness. Only in the last few decades have we begun to appreciate the value of our memories. The care and meticulousness which has been used by all in the creation of this guide is hopefully a good sign: perhaps, under the ashes there is something new and positive. The municipal administration is proud to present this book which began as a simple gift to our town and resulted in an initiative with its own cultural weight.

Nicola Frammartino
1997 - Mayor of Caulonia