In the ancient time the city of Nicotera was part of a bigger greek city called “ Medma “ and during the Romans ages was one of the biggest city in Calabria .
Nowadays this city has a beautiful landscape that visually links : Nicotera Marina , the Gioia Tauro harbour , the Messina’s strait , the Aspromonte mountains and the Eolian islands .
It’s a true and proper terrace on the sea from which everybody can enjoy one of the best landscape that the whole Calabria region can offer.
From the 4 century -aC- has been called Nicotera that means “ sign of victory “ ; after this century the city has been moving to the upper city because of the continuous attacks operated by the Turkish incursions .
In the 1065 Robert the “ Guiscardo “ improved the city security level and fortified the districts all around the castle that he built in the “ Baglio “ district .
Robert the “ Guiscardo” was as a matter of fact looking for a sea landing stage for the links to Sicily, where he was fighting against the arabics .
The new city , reconstructed after the “ Norman” schemes , has now a fascinate new look : the castle, the cathedral , represent the city’s heart and hence begin all the streets to the different districts .
Then the city has been destroyed once again and after reconstructed in 1074 by king Tamin of Africa and in 1085 from the “Benevert’s” troops .
Another reconstruction has been done by the count “Ruggero of Altavilla “ , who improved the city’s harbour .
It’s yet attacked and destroyed by the “ Almoravidi “ leaded by “ Ibn-Maimun".

Ruggero the 2 , son of Ruggero the 1 , reconstructed the city in 1122 . After the various destructions and reconstructions Nicotera was conquered by Federico the 2 and with him reached the more glorious and best time of its long history.

Then Nicotera developed an excellent military shipyard. Federico the 2 brought to the city , to improve the financial system, a very good hebrew economists community .

Besides he built a new district for these jewish called “ Giudecca “ .

Then the city was given back to the “ Angioini”, but once again in 1638 the inhabitants left the city because of the Turkish attacks and sacks .

During the 14 and 15 centuries has been dominated by the “ Ruffo’s “ and “ Marzano’s “ families . in 1496 passed to the “ Gennaro’s “ family who in 1555 got the count title .

In 1585, for succession , went back to the “ Ruffo’s “ family until the end of the feudal age in 1806.

The city was damaged once again by the 1783’s earthquake .

During the french domination Nicotera became a government’s centre since the 19 of January 1807 .

The 4 of may 1811 Nicotera became the main city above the following villages and cities : Caroniti, Preitoni, Comerconi , Badia , Joppolo , Coccorino , Motta Filocastro , Limbadi , Mandaradoni, Caroni , St. Nicola , Spilinga , Panaia , Carciadi e Rosarno .

A new law , since the 1 may 1816 , given by the “ Borboni “ confirmed Nicotera as a main city , but was giving Spilinga and its closer villages to Tropea .

The Nicotera’s centre was divided by various districts : St. Chiara, Baglio e Porta Grande where the middle class was living , instead the more important citizens were staying at the level zone whereas all the traders were living in the St. Nicola district .

In the Nicotera’s history there are lots of poets , intellectuals and historians, whom were very famous in all the southern Italy.

The castle, built during 1763 by E. Sintes ( architect ) for the Sinopoli’s count “ Falcone Ruffo “ , on the old place where the ancient “ svevo angioino “ building was , ( the castle ) is a complete construction with three square towers , granite’s door and window .

The cathedral, with origin since the middle age , has been completely reconstructed by E. Sintes ( architect ) during 1785 , nowadays completely restored and dedicated to St Mary “ Assunta “ .

Belong to the cathedral : tombal fragments from the 15 century , a marble’s altar with various colours , an Our Lady “ delle Grazie “ statue attributed to “ Antonello Gagini “ , a wooden Crucifix after the Naple school of art from the 6 century attributed to “ Angelo Landaro “ , a bishop’s desk with carvings , precious holy furnishings like a toy from the 6 century and hangings from the 8 century .

Very close to the church there is the square bell tower .

In the ancient city’s centre there are lots of granite’s balconies with handmade iron’s flowers on the banisters , works of the 8 century .

Nowadays Nicotera is an important : cultural centre ( with also 3 museums , open all year long , and secondary schools ) , tourist’s centre ( with hotels and resorts close to the sea ) , trading centre for the closer villages and towns .

Nicotera is the reference’s city for as , best italian city , for the glorious and very famous “ Mediterranean Diet “ ; the other reference’s city in Europe is Heraklion in Crete‘s island – Greece.

By Wikipedia - http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotera.