Amantea

Infobox CityIT
img_coa =Amantea-Stemma.png official_name = Comune di Amantea
name=Amantea|mapx=39.13|mapy=16.06
region = Calabria
province = Cosenza (CS)
elevation_m = 50
area_total_km2 =28
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 13548
population_density_km2 =473
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|39|08|N|16|04|E
frazioni = Acquicella, Camoli, Campora San Giovanni, Coreca
telephone = 0982
postalcode = 87032
gentilic = Amanteani
saint = St. Anthony of Padua
day = June 13
mayor =
website = [http://www.comuneamantea.it www.comuneamantea.it]

Amantea ( _gr. Amanthea) is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy.It is an important touristical centre on the southern Tyrrhenian Sea coast. It had ferry connections to the Eolie Islands, but they have been stopped due to a Police investigation on drug trafficking between Sicily and Calabria

History

Amantea appears as a centre of its own in the 7th century, although traces of human presence from pre-historical times onwards have been found in the area. In 839 the Arabs captured it, being ousted by the Byzantines in 889. Later it was under Norman domination. In 1269 the Amanteani rebelled against the Angevines in the name of Conradin of Hohenstaufen, but were besieged by the French and defeated.

The town is mostly famous for the long resistance of its inhabitants against the French troops under Joseph Bonaparte who, in 1806-1807, attempted to conquer its castle.

Main sights

*The "Rocca" (Castle).
*Church of "San Bernardino".
*"Palazzo delle Clarisse" (17th century).
*"Palazzo Mirabelli" (17th century).
*"U Turriune" (large tower, 14th century) at Campora San Giovanni.
*Archaeological findings in the area of Campora San Giovanni.