San Pietro in Guarano

San Pietro in Guarano is a municipality in the province of Cosenza perched on a hill in the Presila Cosentina. Its territory includes the peak of Monte Scuro, one of the highest peaks of the Sila plateau (1633 m).

The first inhabited centre of San Pietro in Guarano dates back to Roman times, as evidenced by some finds from the 2nd century B.C. discovered in the locality of Vigne. In the 19th century, during the French occupation, the inhabitants rebelled against the looting of houses and the episode was depicted in the painting of the Madonna kept in the Church of San Pietro Apostolo.

The Mother Church of Santa Maria in Gerusalemme, elected Cathedral, is majestic and stands in the centre of the town. Built at the end of the 19th century, it houses the homonymous statue of the patron saint.

Other places to visit in the historical centre are the Town Hall, the former residence of Baron Raffaele Collice; the June Fountain (more commonly known as Pietru Giugnu), Palazzo De Cardona and the old Calabria Railways Viaduct.