Stilaro Valley

The Vallata dello Stilaro is a valley in the Province of Reggio Calabria of Southern Italy. It takes its name from river that flow in the area, the Stilaro.

The principal settlements present in the valley are Bivongi, Monasterace, Pazzano and Stilo. The Ecomuseo delle ferriere e fonderie di Calabria, preserves and promotes the natural, artistic and cultural things of the place.

The first evidence of settlements in the valley come from the ancient Greeks between the 8th and 7th centuries BC where along the coast, near the Assi river, the established the little colony of Caulonia, estimated to have included 10,000 people. Kaulon trades with inland indigenous people that mined minerals. They coined money with local silver. For its sources Kaulon was desired by Locri and Kroton colonies. In the first half of the 4th century BC, the Stilaro river (at that time called Elleporo) was the site of an important battle between Dionisio I and Lega italiota (italiota league) made up by a group of colonies of Magna Grecia. Lega italiota was defeated.

After that, the region was conquered by Romans, who largely mined copper and created a colonial penalty for "damnata ad metalla" and deforesting the valley for wood and shipbuilding.

In the 10th century under the Byzantine empire, there was economic and demographic growth and 22 calasi (little villages) with 37 convents, churches, and hermit caves were established by the Greek monks of Saint Basilio. The "Casale of Stilo" grew in importance and incorporated Pazzano, Stignano, Guardavalle, Riace and Camini "casali". On 15 July 982 AD, there was a battle between Ottone II and a Byzantine/Arab alliance which won.

The first iron foundries come out at 1516, owned by Charles V, some of those were sold between 1523 and 1523 with two diplomas to his esquire Cesare Fieramosca: Campoli Village's foundries and Bivongi foundry. In this Norman period the valley turn to Catholicism, and the Hermit of Monte Stella is turned in a sanctuary dedicated to Mary. A statue was located in the cave.

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Wikipedia