By Joanne Fisher
As I enter my golden years, I am thinking of visiting the place where my parents and grandparents were born, while also thinking about their lives and their stories. I had the great pleasure of visiting this Calabrian city in 1980 and then in 1988 and 1989 where I found out I was pregnant with my second son Leonardo. The whole pharmacy was delighted when the Pharmacist announced that I was pregnant. To this day I think of the joy that was given to us that day.
Lamezia Terme, CZ in Calabria, was established in 1968 by the union of three municipalities, Nicastro, Sambiase and Sant’Eufemia. It is located between the Tyrrhenian coast and the foothills of the Sila and even offers an international airport.
I still remember the aromas of freshly baked bread, the fresh fish that local fishermen sold, the scent of the typical dishes that you breathed when you walked through those tiny alleys. I didn’t appreciate them then but if I close my eyes for a moment everything comes rushing back.
Lamezia Terme is a city rich in history and culture, with emblematic monuments such as the Norman Swabian Castle, the Bastion of Malta and the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Its natural beauty is enhanced by the Dossi Comuni Park, a green area with over 500 plant species, and the San Pietro Urban Park, ideal for walks and relaxation. The 8 km coastline offers beaches, cliffs and a vibrant local life with restaurants and shops. Art lovers can explore the Lametino Archaeological Museum and the Diocesan Museum, custodians of the city’s historical heritage. In summer, religious festivals, such as the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul and the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, enliven the city with traditions and celebrations. Its historic districts, this city tells the story of an evolution from Byzantine origins to Norman and Swabian influences.
Lamezia Terme is therefore a city that deserves a visit, to appreciate its historical, natural and cultural beauties, and to savor its typical cuisine, based on local products such as olive oil, wine, hot peppers, fish and cheeses, and that is exactly what I intend to do.