Along the Calabrian Tyrrhenian coast, in the magnificent Cedar Riviera, on the hills that embrace the seaside village of Amantea, in the province of Cosenza, the ruins of the church of St. Francis of Assisi stand silent and majestic, a fascinating open-air history book that tells of monks, sieges and a glorious past. For a traveler who loves to discover places that combine history, architecture and breathtaking views, this is a hidden treasure of Calabria.
The history of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Amantea: a journey through time, between monks and sieges
The history of this place is ancient and has its roots in a period well before the arrival of the Franciscans. Historical sources suggest that the area was occupied by a community of Basilian monks of the Greek rite, who had founded the church of St. Basil here in the 12th century. It is even said that Pope Calixtus II, during a trip, was hosted there.
However, the monastic complex experienced its heyday in the 13th century, when Blessed Piero Catin, a companion of St. Francis of Assisi, came to Amantea and founded a Franciscan monastery there. From that time, the church became an important religious and social landmark, witnessing historical events that marked the destiny of the village. Its end was marked by a series of calamities: the damage caused by the earthquake of 1638 and, definitively, by the French siege of 1806-1807, which reduced it to ruins.
Getting to the ruins of the church of St. Francis of Assisi in Amantea from the historic center of the old village
To get to the ruins of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi you can point your navigator directly to the church ruins, as per the map above.
The ruins are located in the old village of Amantea, perched on a hill along the Tyrrhenian coast. The navigator will try to take you to the closest point to the ruins, but we instead recommend that you park in the old town and explore it before going up to the ruins, because it is a really beautiful and quaint village. In addition, the road leading from the old town to the ruins is very beautiful, and although it is a bit strenuous, it will allow you to explore the various narrow streets of the village, discovering its characteristic buildings.
The "Castle Street" of Amantea's historic center toward the ruins of the church
The ruins are located on the slopes of Amantea’s castle. They can be reached on foot from the town’s historic center by walking along the ancient Via del Castello, a path that offers breathtaking panoramic views.
Therefore, once in the historic center of Amantea, after visiting it, look for the “Castle Street.” The “Castle Street” is accessible from different points in the historic center. It involves climbing the hill again to get to the street that connects the castle ruins to the ruins of the church of St. Francis of Assisi, our destination.
As you have seen from the photos, the road, which is not well-maintained and well-maintained, tiring and difficult to navigate in some of its parts, allows you to pass through the older parts of the village of Amantea, going from parts that are old but still inhabited to parts that are abandoned with dilapidated or crumbling buildings.
We arrive at the ruins of the church of St. Francis of Assisi in Amantea.
After the strenuous (but not too much after all) climb, we arrive at the ruins of the castle, whose dome we have already glimpsed from the road.
The sight is spectacular: the ruins of the church rise majestically before us, with the shimmering blue Tyrrhenian Sea in the background. We move forward on an unmaintained and barely visible path through the tall grass, as if mesmerized by the vision of the structure before us.
One last staircase to go and you can admire what remains of the ancient structure:
- The imposing pointed arch: once the entrance to the main nave of the church and still stands in all its solemn beauty.
- The perimeter walls that provide a glimpse of the original size and layout of the complex.
- The remains of the convent that are located in the back part of the church.
- The beautiful decorations on the walls and vault of the church
The ruins of the church of San Francesco di Amantea: the charm of a timeless place
The beauty of this place lies precisely in its abandoned state, making it a piece of history embedded in the landscape. Access to the ruins, although strenuous, gives a unique and evocative perspective. For a photography enthusiast or simply those looking for a place to meditate and breathe in history, the ruins of St. Francis of Assisi are a must-see
