Rossano

Rossano
Comune
Comune di Rossano
Church of Santa Maria del Patire.
Coat of arms
Rossano Location of Rossano in Italy
Coordinates: 39°34′N 16°38′E / 39.567°N 16.633°E / 39.567; 16.633
Country	Italy
Region	Calabria
Province / Metropolitan city	Cosenza (CS)
Government
• Mayor	Stefano Mascaro
Area
• Total	149 km2 (58 sq mi)
Elevation	270 m (890 ft)
Population (31 December 2013)
• Total	36,876
• Density	250/km2 (640/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Rossanesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	87067, 87068
Dialing code	0983
Patron saint	St. Nilus the Younger
Saint day	September 26

Rossano is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza, Calabria, southern Italy. The city is situated on an eminence c. 3. km from the Gulf of Taranto. The town is known for its marble and alabaster quarries.

The town is the seat of a Catholic archbishop and has a notable cathedral and castle. Two Popes have been born in the town, along with Saint Nilus the Younger.

Roscianum was the original name of the town under the Roman Empire. In the 2nd century AD, emperor Hadrian built or rebuilt a port here, which could accommodate up to 300 ships. It was mentioned in the Antonine itineraries, as one of the important fortresses of Calabria. The Goths of Alaric I and, in the following century, Totila, were unable to take it.

The Rossanesi showed great attachment to the Byzantine Empire, whose local strategos had his seat here. The Rossano Gospels, a 6th Century illuminated manuscript of great historical and artistic value, is a tangible relic of that period.

The Saracens failed to conquer Rossano, while in 982 Otto II captured it temporarily from the Byzantines. Its Greek character was preserved long after its conquest by the Normans, as noted by its long retention of the Greek Rite over the Latin Rite. The city in fact maintained notable privileges under the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine dominations, but subsequently decayed after the feudalization in 1417.