A walk through the historic centre of San Lucido

Are you planning a holiday in San Lucido, the ‘’balcony on the Tyrrhenian Sea‘’ in the province of Cosenza? Excellent choice! A relaxing Mediterranean atmosphere awaits you, suspended between history, legends and a crystal-clear sea.

The historical centre of San Lucido, in a panoramic position overlooking the sea, and the surroundings surrounded by greenery are the perfect destination for an unforgettable summer with the whole family.

Let's discover San Lucido together: sea, events and curiosities...

Among the most charming seaside resorts on the Calabrian Tyrrhenian coast, San Lucido offers the right mix of sea, history and traditions not to be missed. The historical centre of San Lucido is a terrace on the sea: from the top of its belvederes, one can admire the entire San Lucido beaches, crossed by a seafront that offers fiery sunsets for about 3 km. But let us explore the historical centre of San Lucido, discovering the palaces and monuments that embellish it, recounting the vicissitudes of the ancient noble families and the typical activity of the area: the extraction and processing of the White Tuff of San Lucido.

The walk through the alleys of the historical centre of San Lucido is introduced by the remains of the Ruffo Castle, of which the tower and the stone bridge leading to the original drawbridge are preserved. The castle is linked to the history of the Ruffo princes of Calabria and the important figure of Cardinal Fabrizio Ruffo (1744-1827). The historical centre of San Lucido reserves interesting discoveries, starting with the palaces between Piazza Giardinetti and Corso Umberto I (Palazzo Manes, Zagarise, Cavallo, Giuliani, Camera and the Palazzo Comunale).

A tour of San Lucido's churches is also not to be missed: the Church of San Giovanni Battista, next to the castle, is rich in works of art (from Jorio to Pascaletti); so is the Church of the Santissima Annunziata, dating back to the 15th century, and the Church of San Leonardo, owned by the Lattari family and can be visited on request. The Church of the Pietà, on the other hand, is the oldest building in the town.

The gem of the historical centre of San Lucido? The Monument to Cilla, dedicated to the eponymous female character from Greek mythology: sister of Hecuba and mother of Munippus, Cilla was murdered with her son so that the prophecy of the destruction of Troy would not be fulfilled.

A scenic staircase connects the historical centre of San Lucido to the sea, the perfect destination for those who choose to spend their summer holidays in San Lucido. In San Lucido, the beaches and seafront are the centre of summer life, both during the day and late at night, with well-equipped lidos and clubs.

The coastline is varied: from the initial sand to the pebbles on the opposite side, with large stretches of free beach where the whole family can enjoy space and relaxation. The bars and restaurants along the seafront offer two local specialities not to be missed: prickly pears and the delicious local capers, excellences of local agri-food production.

The best time to spend a holiday in San Lucido? July, when the ‘’Vulàta‘’ takes place: a historical re-enactment of the battle against the Saracen pirates of Dragut Pasha (16th century). No wonder, then, that every 21 July, the inhabitants flock to the beaches of San Lucido to dive into the water clothed (even, until a few years ago, dyed red, to evoke the blood shed to defend their country). Today, the tradition of bathing clothed is also known as ‘’Ciutìa del 21 luglio‘’ (21 July Weirdness) and since the 1990s has also been associated with a fun Summer Carnival.