Caccuri

Caccuri is a historic town and comune located in the province of Crotone within the Calabria region of southern Italy. Situated at an elevation of 646 meters, it holds the prestigious distinction of being listed among I Borghi più belli d'Italia, or the most beautiful villages in Italy. The town is also historically significant as the birthplace of Cicco Simonetta, a prominent statesman during the Renaissance period. While the area has ancient roots, including a Greek heritage reflected in its native name Kakóros, it developed into a key feudal center over the centuries.

The most notable landmark is Caccuri Castle, which was constructed over an earlier Byzantine fortress dating back to the sixth century. Although the structure has undergone several restorations, with the last major work occurring in 1885, much of the castle currently exists in a state of decay. Its defining feature is the solitary tower known as Torre Mastrigli, which serves as the official symbol of the town. Inside the feudal chapel, visitors can find artworks attributed to the Neapolitan school. The town's religious architecture includes the Mother Church of St. Mary of Graces, originally medieval but rebuilt in the fifteenth century after suffering damage from earthquakes in 1638 and 1805, as well as the sixteenth-century Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso.

Today, Caccuri remains a small community with a population of approximately 1,780 residents who celebrate their patron saint, St. Roch, every August 16. Despite the partial ruin of its central castle, the town preserves a rich historical narrative through its remaining towers, chapels, and fountains, such as the Canalaci Fountain built in 1884. The blend of Byzantine foundations, medieval reconstruction, and Baroque artistic elements within its churches offers a glimpse into the diverse cultural layers that have shaped this Calabrian village throughout history.