Tiriolo, a charming village located in the heart of the Catanzaro isthmus, represents one of Calabria's most precious gems. Situated on a ridge that rises on the first spurs of the Silan massif, Tiriolo serves as a watershed between the Corace and Amato rivers. This special geographical position not only offers extraordinary panoramic views, but has also given the town strategic importance since ancient times.
The built-up area of Tiriolo runs along a ridge, with houses that descend in rows and narrow streets that weave together, creating a maze of narrow streets where, in many cases, only one person can pass at a time. These small streets, called "wrinkles," are not just paths of passage, but real places for villagers to socialize and meet. Walking through the streets of Tiriolo, one comes across numerous viewpoints that offer spectacular views of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, thus calling the town "the jewel between the two seas" . During sunset, in particular, one can admire the silhouette of Stromboli and the Aeolian Islands, and on luckier days, the snow-capped peak of Mount Etna adds to this magnificent panorama.
Tiriolo's historical importance is attested by numerous archaeological findings, which demonstrate human presence in the area since prehistoric times. Tiriolo, in fact, was a crucial military and commercial control point in central Calabria. Today, artifacts from the Brettian period can be admired in the local Archaeological Museum and in the excavations of the Gianmartino Archaeological Park. Legend has it that this area was identified as the mythical Scherìa, happy home of the Phaeacians, where Ulysses recounted his adventures. In Piazza Italia, a marble statue dedicated to Ulysses, created by Calabrian sculptor Maurizio Carnevali, testifies to this link with mythology.
Tiriolo is also a center of craft traditions. Textile art represents an invaluable heritage, with the traditional costume of the Pacchiana symbolizing the cultural identity of Tiriolo women. Today, it is possible to visit craft workshops where loom work, wood carvings, stone and terracotta artifacts, and typical musical instruments such as the lyre and tambourine are made. The love of craftsmanship is palpable in every corner of the village, where tradition is intertwined with innovation.
Tiriolo's natural beauty is accentuated by its unique location between the Corace and Amato rivers and Mount Tiriolo, which offers not only breathtaking views but also natural caves to explore. The area is ideal for hiking and nature walks, immersed in unique flora and fauna. Tiriolo's rich food and wine tradition is another aspect not to be missed: the village is known as the Oil City, thanks to the quality of its extra virgin olive oils, and offers a variety of typical products that reflect the area's agricultural tradition.
The origins of Tiriolo are lost in time, and legend has it that the village was inhabited by Hellenic peoples as early as six centuries before the Trojan War. Archaeological findings, such as obsidian axes and chisels, confirm human presence since the Neolithic period. Roman history is evidenced by the famous bronze tablet concerning the Senatus Consultum de Bacchanalibus, found in 1640 and now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. A copy is at the Civic Antiquarium of Tiriolo, along with numerous other artifacts that tell the thousand-year history of this fascinating area.
During the summer, the village comes alive with events such as the Bacchanalia Festival, a celebration that commemorates the discovery of the tablet and features concerts, wine tastings and theatrical performances. Tiriolo is a place where history, culture, nature and tradition are intertwined in a unique experience, capable of fascinating and engaging anyone who has the pleasure of visiting.
