Stylus

Not to be missed

On the first Sunday in August, the village is the scene of the ancient Palio di Ribusa, one of the most important historical re-enactments in all of Calabria. During the two days of the Palio, the village and its inhabitants dress up, the air resounds with the notes of ancient instruments reconstructed based on depictions of the time. Ancient arts and crafts come back to life, and nobles, ladies and men-at-arms on horseback roam the streets. The highlights are the historical procession, a symbol of nobility, and the horse race, re-enacting the 5 households into which the people were divided.

A bit of history

Stilo's history is ancient and mysterious. Like its architecture, it mixes spirituality and conquest. According to some reports, in fact, the foundation of Stilo is linked to the arrival on Mount Consolino of Eastern monks, who lived in natural caves called "laure," decorated with frescoes still visible today. According to others, however, it was the inhabitants of ancient Greek colonies who founded the first settlement in a place more defensible from attacks by Turks and Saracens. Protected by the mountain and not too far from the sea, because of its strategic importance Stilo was much disputed and underwent several dominations: the Byzantine one was followed by the Norman one and then by the Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, Spanish and Bourbons, who enriched it with monuments and noble palaces, and who contributed to its cultural liveliness. In this regard, one cannot talk about Stilo without mentioning that it is the proud birthplace of Tommaso Campanella, philosopher, theologian and poet.

Curiosities

Stilo is fertile territory for legends that hover over the remains of the Norman Castle. One of these tells of an attack by the Arabs on the village. The population took refuge in the castle, and thus began the siege. Food and water supplies were now scarce. One morning, a young soldier suggested collecting milk from all the mothers to produce small cottage cheese...to be thrown on the enemy army! At the sight of the food being used in place of bullets, the besiegers thought there must be so much of it, too much for the siege to succeed. So they left. A long search was made for the young man who had saved Stilo with his plan, but he could not be found, as if he had never existed. It was then realized that it was St. George who had rushed to their aid, and from that moment he became the patron saint of the village.