
Bonifati's heritage includes palaces and churches of great artistic interest, but is above all a countryside town with the feel of ancient village due to its friendly atmosphere. Currently, next to the historical centre perched on the hills, Bonifati comprises within the municipal boundaries numerous hamlets, among which the most ancient and populated areas are those of Greco, Cirimarco, Torrevecchia, Timpone, San Candido and Telegrafo.
Cittadella del Capo spreads along the coastal strip and in recent decades has experienced strong economic growth due mainly to seaside tourism.
The hamlet boasts long sandy beaches, occasionally interrupted by small rocky headlands that add charm while offering protection from the waves, with some small breakwaters along the coast that create tidal pools. The coast is also dotted with many stone watchtowers, built during the seventeenth century to prevent the Saracen invasions. The biggest event of the year is held on the third Sunday of August in honour of San Francesco di Paola; the patron saint of Calabria and of mariners. The summer calendar is also filled with concerts and food festivals which take place at the seaside town and inland hamlets.
Notable places of historical, artistic and cultural interest which are worth a visit are Palazzo De Aloe (today known as Palazzo del Capo), Torre di Parise and Torre di Fella. Cittadella boasts two churches: the Parish Church of the Santissima Annunziata and San Francesco di Paola and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo.
The Church is in a modern style featuring a single nave with a trussed ceiling. The belfry is attached to the right. In 2006, the church was thoroughly restored and jthe works also included painting a large fresco on the altar depicting the Blessed Virgin and St Francis of Paola, painted by master artist Guido Faita from Montalto Uffugo.
Torre di Fella was a watchtower built along the Tyrrhenian coast; a guard post of the shoreline of Cittadella del Capo against any Saracen attacks. Declared a National Monument in 1984, the tower is currently located inside the Palazzo De Aloe, within the entrance courtyard. The building was built during Norman Age, probably in 1150, and at the time of its construction included an outbuilding destined to house military troops. Currently the building of the Torre di Fella is used for tourism.
Bonifati is part of an area with a wealth of gastronomic traditions, due to the people that during the course of centuries have inhabited this sunny and fertile strip of land where the highest quality agri-foods originate, praised by nutritionists and lovers of fine cuisine. Despite the presence of the sea, typical dishes are strongly related to a past where the main sources of livelihood were agriculture and farming. Enjoy the endless preserved agricultural products harvested in-season and then stored to be eaten all-year round.
Address | P.zza Domenico Ferrante, 33 |
87020 Bonifati (CS) | |
Phone number | 0982 93338 |
Fax | 0982 93392 |
Website | http://www.comune.bonifati.cs.it/ |
Bonifati consists of an old center on a hill, the hamlet of Cittadella del Capo on the coast and two suburbs, Santa Maria and Paneduro. The town was an agricultural center for a long time, however in the last decades Cittadella has economically developed, as an increasing number of tourists spend their summer holidays in the village every year. In Cittadella del Capo the religious festival dedicated to Saint Francis of Paola, the patron saint of Calabria and seamen, is celebrated on the third Sunday of October.
Among the historical and artistic sites of the town, the following deserve a visit: Palazzo De Aloe, Torre di Fella and Torre di Parise. Two churches rise in Cittadella: the parish Church of San Francesco di Paola, consecrated on March 25, 1973 and renovated in 2006, and the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, dated to 1924. The 16th century Sanctuary of Maria SS. del Rosario and the Church of Calvario, the Palazzo Favarulo and the 17th century Church of SS. Annunziata with the baroque façade and three naves are the remarkable buildings that enrich the town.