Acri
Acri is a city with 19,949 inhabitants, located in the northern part of the Calabria region in southern Italy. Acri was granted city status on 17 September 2001.
Geography
Territory
Acri’s urban center is located at 720 m near the Sila mountains. Its territory extends over 200.63 km2. The city dominates the Mucone Valley and the Crati Valley.Its primary rivers are the Mucone, Calamo, and Duglia.
Between 2006 and 2015, Acri experienced a higher number of forest fires caused by unknown individuals compared to other municipalities.
Climate
The climate is Mediterranean, characterized by harsh winters and dry, hot summers. However, this climate is not uniform throughout the town, and the suburbs may differ from the city center.Politics
- Mayor: 2000 – 2005: Nicola Tenuta
- Mayor: 2005 – 2010: Elio Coschignano
- Mayor: 2010 – 2012: Gino Trematerra
- Mayor: 2012 – 2013: Luigi Maiorano
- Mayor: 2013 – 2017: Nicola Tenuta
- Prefectural Commissioner: 2017 – 2017: Maria Vercillo
- Mayor: 2017 – : Pino Capalbo
Monuments and places of interest
Civil architectures
Castle of Acri
The Castle of Acri, also known as Rocca dei Bruzii, was a defensive structure that historians believe was erected during the Bruttian era. Today, only a single tower remains, which has become a symbol of the city.It is located on the outskirts of the territory controlled by the powerful Sybaris during the time of Magna Graecia. The hypothesis of Bruzian construction is now strongly supported by various archaeological finds, dating from the Eneolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, discovered around the old city of Acri.
Later, it became a Roman fortress, as evidenced by a Latin marble plaque found in 1890 inscribed with "XII LEGIO," and small portions of Greek mosaics discovered near the castle.
The castle originally had a trapezoidal shape, with three towers positioned at the highest point and a fourth located at the lowest part of the defensive walls to control the drawbridge or machicolation gate. The defensive walls enclosed the entire citadel in the Pàdia district.
The castle's surrounding walls are approximately 2 meters thick at the highest part of the perimeter, while the walls at the lower level are described as being about 4 meters thick.
Visible until the early 20th century, the cistern used for water supply during a siege was located north of the existing tower. It stood about two floors high, with each floor measuring 3 meters in height and 20 meters in width.
In 1999, several coins of Greek origin were discovered within the castle walls. These included coins from Sybaris, Thurii, and one from Crotone, all of which are now in the possession of the Archaeological Superintendence of Sibaritide.
Palaces
Palazzo Sanseverino-Falcone
Palazzo Sanseverino-Falcone belonged to the powerful Calabrian Sanseverino family. It was constructed beginning in the 17th century by Giuseppe Leopoldo Sanseverino X, Prince of Bisignano. The building’s construction was overseen by Stefano Vangeri from Rogliano, who worked on the project until 1720, likely completing the finishing touches that year. The structure has four floors. The ground and first floors functioned as a guardhouse for the prince. The east wing of the ground floor includes a large hall, known as the "Sala delle Colonne," which features eight stone columns with late sixteenth-century style capitals. These columns are believed to have been reused from an earlier building, possibly a church.The second floor, known as the "noble floor," where the family resided, contains several halls adorned with frescoes. Though some of the frescoes have deteriorated, parts remain visible. The third floor was used for the servants and housed the kitchen.
Palazzo Padula
Owned by the poet Vincenzo Padula, the palace was built in an originally isolated area. On the portal, Padula had two feathers and an inkwell sculpted—symbols from his family's coat of arms. The palace was equipped with loopholes for firearms, which were used to defend against frequent attacks brigands during that period. Today, the palace houses the Municipal Library and the Museum of Rural Civilization.Palazzo Julia
Dating back to the 15th century, this property has always belonged to the Julia family, passing down from father to son. It was constructed in two distinct phases: the first phase dates back to the 16th century, and the second phase was completed at the end of the 18th century. The building spans three floors and houses a rich library with over five thousand volumes, including texts from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as some rare ancient editions.Palazzo De Simone-Julia
The building is named after its owners, the De Simone family, and their heirs, the Julia family. Constructed in the early 17th century, it is located in the historic center.Palazzo Spezzano
An ancient noble residence dating back to the 18th century, the palace belonged to the Spezzano noble family.Palazzo Astorino Giannone
Originally inhabited by the Astorino family in the 1700s, the palace later passed to the Fusari family. The Giannone family, originally from Bitonto in the province of Bari, extensively transformed the building into a country mansion. Inside, the palace still contains furniture and paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as a library with thousands of ancient volumes from these periods.Palazzo Civitate
This ancient palace belonged to the noble Civitate family, originally from San Marco Argentano, who settled in Acri in the 1400s. The building spans three floors, with cellars located on the south side. Much of its original splendor has been lost due to transformations by subsequent owners. The entrance door, adorned with the Civitate family coat of arms, remains unchanged from antiquity, as do three iron cages, known locally as caggiarole. These cages, placed on the wall facing Azzinnari Square by the Napoleonic army, were used to display the heads of three notorious bandit leaders. These individuals had been accused of kidnapping and killing three sons of the Civitate family between 1720 and 1730.Religious architecture
- Church of the Madonna del Rinfresco, built by parish priest Giacomo De Piris in 1521.
- Church and Convent of San Francesco di Paola. Dating from the 16th to 17th centuries.
- Basilica of Sant'Angelo.
- Church of Santa Chiara, built in 1420.
- Church of the Annunziata, was first mentioned historically in 1269. In the ancient church, now transformed into a sacristy, a Byzantine-Gothic fresco was recently discovered. The fresco, created by an unknown artist, depicts the deposition of Jesus Christ on Golgotha. At the bottom of the fresco are words written in ancient Gothic script.
- Church and Convent of the Capuchin Fathers, built in 1590, the church and convent were established by the Capuchin Fathers.
- Church of San Nicola Ante Castillum
- * Rebuilt in the early 15th century, the church likely originated in the 10th or 11th century. During consolidation efforts, remnants of an earlier structure dating back to around the 8th century were discovered. Records from Bishop Ruffino's audience mention the church reopening for worship after the devastating earthquake of 1080–1081, and the consecration of five Greek rite priests.
- Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
- * During restoration works in 2004 and subsequently in 2007, numerous discoveries were made that conclusively date the church to the early Christian period.
- Church of Santa Caterina
- * Believed to have been built around 1500, it was partly destroyed by the earthquake of 1638.
- Church of San Nicola da Belvedere
- * This ancient Greek rite church is located in the former Casalicchio district. According to Bishop Ruffino da Bisignano's records, the church reopened for worship after the devastating earthquake of 1080. It was first mentioned in 1070 when Queen Giovanna d'Angiò gifted it to Count Simone Cofone of Acri and Padia.
Economy
| Disoccupation rate | Youth disoccupation rate |
| 18.5 | 47.5 |
| Sector | Rate |
| Services | 37.7% |
| Industry | 24% |
| Agriculture | 24.1% |
| Commerce | 14.2% |
| Profession | Rate |
| High – medium specialization | 24% |
| Artisans, farmers, workmen | 20.7% |
| Low level of competence | 33.4% |
The Acri Pig Reproduction Experimental Center focuses on breeding black pigs and supports activities ranging from production to processing, including experimental work on Calabrian delicacies. Its related activities include the recovery, enhancement, breeding, and promotion of local pig farming, with a particular emphasis on the Calabrian black pig. Pig production plays a crucial role in sustaining the locally renowned charcuterie industry.
The area is home to artisanal businesses and small industrial companies.
It also produces and exports wine, oil, and livestock.