Amendolara: Archaeology and Historic Buildings

Amendolara brings together archaeological finds and settlement remains with buildings from different periods. There is also the Secca di Amendolara Regional Marine Park off the coast. When planning your trip, these topics offer different perspectives on the town: from the protohistoric collection to medieval buildings and the designated marine protected area.

Marine park off the coast

The Secca di Amendolara Regional Marine Park lies in the sea off the coast of Amendolara Marina and the mouth of the Crati River. The Secca is designated as the special conservation area ZSC IT9310053. Both its location off the coast and its specific protected-area designation are therefore part of what defines this destination. Those interested in Amendolara’s maritime side will find a different focus here from the archaeological and medieval heritage in the town.

Archaeological collection and settlement history

The Laviola Collection at the Museo archeologico nazionale di Amendolara consists mainly of metal finds and pottery fragments from the protohistoric period, from the 12th to the 8th century BC. Two multimedia information installations complement the museum: films, commentary, and texts in four languages present the settlement of the area from prehistoric times to the present day. The collection and the information installations offer different perspectives: the finds come from a distant past, while the installations provide an overview of settlement over a long period.

The archaeological site of San Nicola is associated with Lagaria, an ancient settlement dating from the 8th century BC. Remains of a settlement have survived, including a road of compacted earth and rectangular houses along its sides. At San Nicola, the historical identification and the described settlement layout go hand in hand: Lagaria links the site to the ancient settlement, while the road and houses indicate its spatial arrangement.

Architectural history from the Byzantine period to the Middle Ages

Il Castello Normanno stands in the western part of Amendolara’s medieval settlement and overlooks the Straface stream. Its described architectural features include a deep, formerly water-filled moat on one side and massive walls with tall towers at their ends on the other. Its historical use is also part of the story of the castle: during the Hohenstaufen period, it served as a residence for Emperor Frederick II.

At La Chiesa di Santa Maria, its Byzantine influence is clearly visible in the exterior dome, which has retained this style despite Baroque alterations. The Cappella dell’Annunziata, also known as the Cappella dei Greci, tells another architectural story: it was built during the Byzantine period in the 9th to 10th century and restored in the 16th century. These examples differ both in their dates and in the architectural features described.

Getting to Amendolara

By road, the route to Amendolara leads from the Sibari exit of the A3 SA-RC motorway via the SS 534 and SS 106 towards Taranto, as far as the turnoff for Amendolara. For rail travel, Amendolara Marina station is listed, along with Trebisacce, 10 km away, and Sibari, 25 km away. The distances provide a specific comparison for the latter two stations; Amendolara Marina is also listed as a station. When planning your train journey, check the relevant timetable for your travel dates.

When choosing a hotel in Amendolara, you could first consider what you would like to focus on during your stay: archaeological finds and settlement remains, the architectural history of the churches and castle, or the marine park off the coast. You can plan your journey separately using the road and rail options listed above.

For the broader travel overview: Cosenza.