Colle Palecastro is located in Tortora, the gateway to the Riviera dei Cedri, the Pollino National Park, and the Tyrrhenian Calabria, as Tortora is the first town encountered at the border with Basilicata. This border has represented a true confluence of traditions and cultures over the centuries.
On Colle Palecastro stood the ancient city of Blanda, founded by the Enotri in the mid-6th century BC, evidenced by the discovery of 38 tombs and a stone stele. It was later dominated by the Lucanians and then by the Romans, with whom it took the name Blanda Julia. Numerous ceramic artifacts from this period are now exhibited in the Blanda Museum in the historic center of Tortora.
Still visible on Colle Palecastro are the ancient Roman forum, the Small Temple, the remains of the city walls, and some dwellings. The rest of the artifacts found are housed in the Museum, inaugurated in April 1998 within the historic Palazzo di Casapesenna. Since 2022, it has been named after the archaeologist Gioacchino Francesco La Torre, who conducted studies on ancient Blanda Julia.
One of the best times to visit Tortora, its wonderful historic center, and the Blanda Museum is certainly October during the Zafarana Fest, a festival dedicated to the zafarana, the native "pepper" used to prepare delicious dishes.
Other places to explore:
- Eco-Museum of Wine and Rural Culture - Verbicaro (CS)
- Romito Cave - Papasidero (CS)
- Sandro Berardone Eco-Museum - Rotonda (PZ)
