Spezzano Albanese

Spezzano Albanese
Comune
Comune di Spezzano Albanese
Remains of the castle.

Coat of arms
Spezzano Albanese
Location of Spezzano Albanese in Italy
Coordinates: 39°40′N 16°19′E / 39.667°N 16.317°E / 39.667; 16.317
Country Italy
Region Calabria
Province Cosenza (CS)
Government
 • Mayor Giovanni Cucci
Area
 • Total 33 km2 (13 sq mi)
Elevation 320 m (1,050 ft)
Population (30 June 2012)[1]
 • Total 7,217
 • Density 220/km2 (570/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Spezzanesi
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 87019
Dialing code 0981
Patron saint Our Lady of the Graces (Madonna delle Grazie)
Saint day First Tuesday after the Easter
Website Official website

Spezzano Albanese (Arbëreshë: Spixan) is a municipality in the Province of Cosenza, Calabria, southern Italy.

It is located on a 320-feet high hill commanding the plain of Sibari and the Esaro river valley. It originated from Albanian emigration in the 15th century. Sights include the archaeological site of Torre del Mordillo, whose excavated Bronze Age remains and a necropolis dating from the 18th century BC up to the early Hellenistic Age; the Torre Scribla, what remains of a Norman fortress originally including two towers; and the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie, a Catholic church from the 16th century.

Politics

After the death of Franciso Franco and Massacre of the Piazza Fontana, there was a significant period of national political debate leading to the rise of libertarian socialism in the region.[2] As such, anarchist organisers in the region have successfully created a 'Municipal Federation of the Base' (FMB) in 1992 as a dual power alternative to the local government. The system is run via a participatory democracy and people are able to directly influence the decisions made about their lives. The FMB has also raised funds for and supported the development of local worker cooperatives and trade unions.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Demographic data from Istat
  2. ↑ Anarchist Age Monthly, issue 75, March 1997, Melbourne.
  3. ↑ “Community Organising in Southern Italy”, pp. 16–19, Black Flag no. 210, p. 17, p. 18

Sources

  • Serra, Alessandro (1987). Spezzano Albanese nelle vicende storiche sue e dell'Italia (1470 - 1945). Spezzano Albanese: Edizioni Trimograf.


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