I PARCHI LETTERARI® IN CALABRIA “JOURNEYS TO THE FUTURE OF MEMORY” - I PARCHI LETTERARI IN THE MARQUISATE OF CROTONE: THE PROMONTORY OF HERA LACINIA

Archaeological-tourist-cultural itinerary. The Promontory of Hera Lacinia.

Capo Colonna

"The Lacinio Promontory”, known in ancient times as Lacinion, was the name given to Capo Colonna, located just a short distance from Crotone, which borders the western boundary of the Gulf of Taranto. The place is an important archaeological site. With the establishment of Crotone, the ancient area of Cape Lacinio, which was already considered to be sacred by the native populations, was further ennobled by the construction of the famous temple dedicated to Hera Lacinia, the Greek goddess, protector of women and fertility and which in classical mythology was associated with the Roman goddess, Juno. These two main qualities: the easy recognition of the sea and the presence of the temple put Cape Lacinio on the pages of the history books.

Hera's Temple

The original temple featured the classic form of the Greek temples: an imposing complex of 48 columns, in Doric style that are more than eight metres tall and composed of eight grooved rocks. The roof was made of marble slabs and Parian marble tiles. Nothing is known of its ornamentations, other than the fact that they were certainly present as can be deduced from a Greek marble head that was discovered along with a few other fragments. Other than the religious functions that took place in the temple, it also traditionally served as a place of respite for sailors and merchants. And it was certainly this function that inspired the generosity of those who used it; the temple quickly became famous and wealthy. Moreover, the sacred refuge discouraged thieves so travellers as well as locals found it useful to deposit their riches in the temple’s treasury.

The Column

The Doric column stood next to another up until the year 1638 when there was an earthquake and the rains destroyed the remains of the robust stilobate. The column is the only surviving element of the great temple of Hera Lacinia, which remained almost intact until about 1500. It was probably during that century that the ruins were pillaged to build the Episcope and the Cathedral of Crotone, but it was mainly the Spaniards who were responsible for a massive removal of the material to build the Castle and the walls of the City of Crotone. Additional plundering occurred during the 18th Century during the construction of the city’s port.

On 27 December 1991 the Protected Marine Area of Capo Rizzuto was created by Ministerial Decree. This includes 36 kilometres of coastline and two municipalities: Crotone and Capo Rizzuto. The promontory features a continuation of a series of rocky areas of calcarenite rock from shell fragments alternating with the suggestive coves of golden sand. The Protected Area is equipped with an Aquarium, which features pools containing animal and vegetable life from the local sea bottom. Moreover, excursions in glass-bottom boats or sailboats as well as diving and fishing expeditions are offered to tourists.