Amato

Amato, Calabria, Italy

The small center is situated amid the hills not far from Catanzaro, with a fine view of both the Tyrrhenian Sea as far as the Aeolian Islands, and takes its name from the Lamento river flowing nearby.

Info

Altitude: 480 m a.s.l -- Population: about 900 inhabitants -- Zip/postal code: 88040 -- Phone Area Code: 0961 -- Patron Saint: San Francesco da Paola celebrated on the second Sunday in August

Where to stay

Hotels, Agritourisms, Bed & Breakfasts, Campings, Holiday Homes & other Lodgings in Calabria

History

The village has very ancient origins, and was possibly founded by refugees from ancient Lametia. It is mentioned in documents of the 11th century, when it was a fiefdom of the cousin of Constance d'Hauteville; in the 15th century it wa sunder the Ruffo family and then passed to the Susanna, Rodio and Rocca, to be finally purchased in 1550 by Baron Antonio Donato Mottola, whose family kept it until 1806, when the feudal system was suppressed.

What to see

The ancient necropolis
the ruins of Palazzo Mottola, an ancient feudal mansion
The 16th century church of the Immacolata Concezione, hosting inside fine paintings representing the Madonna del Carmine and Rosary, works by Francesco Colelli, and precious wooden statues representing the Madonna della Purita', Madonna delle Grazie and the statue of the patron saint, St. Francis of Paola, which was donated to Amato by the Mottola marquis.
the Museo del Borgo, preserving a collection of items and tools from the local farming tradition, as well as a gallery of ancient photographs.