Ever celebrated New Year’s Eve in Calabria’s undiscovered Cosenza, while exploring Italy’s south?
Okay, so I’m a little behind with timing of this post but wanted to share what the last New Year’s Eve in Cosenza was like, as it feels as though it was an eternity ago. But I reminisce and digress, so on to the last New Year’s Eve in Cosenza…
Spending three NYE’s in Cosenza out of four, this year is a little more subdued than previous years. The main reason is that many of our friends are working away from Cosenza. Still want to make the most of seeing in the fresh new year, 2020, until the early hours of the morning, despite the bitter cold.
New Year’s Eve in Cosenza
Cooking a special NYE’s dinner – food is a passion in Italy, especially in Calabria – many Vinos’ later, finally venture out at 23:30, wrapped up for the icy, evening.
I’ve learnt that nothing seems to start on NYE in Cosenza until around 23:50 or just before midnight. This is when the whole city emerges from within surrounding apartments and regions to spill out onto the streets and descends on Corso Mazzini.
Unlike previous NYEs when famous bands like Skunk Anansie performed, street performers, fire dancers, electric vibes, until past midnight, tonight, there’s not much going along the Corso.
Hordes of people start gravitating towards Cosenza Vecchia (Old Town), and we tag along…
…but taking a detour and stroll along a different way through the old town, until making our way back along the ascending ancient cobbled Corso Telesio, to the piazza.
Continuing through the medieval alleyways that have stopped in a previous era, only neon signs and modern posters break the old town’s historic, trend.
Reaching the impressive Teatro di tradizione Alfonso Rendano (theatre) around the large circular Piazza XV Marzo, imposing Monumento a Telesio bronze statue reminds locals and visitors of Cosenza’s history. Telesio was a famous Cosentino philosopher from the 16th-century. This dramatic statue depicts Telesio in a moment of deep meditation.
The simple but spectacular light show displays Telesio’s statue dramatically, creating an ethereal silhouette of contemplation, of time perhaps?
Festivities are low-key this year as the city is conserving money. Nonetheless, rowdy and excited locals counting down, start saying goodbye to 2019, which makes up for any display shortfall. Italians know how to enjoy themselves and without the need for copious amounts of alcohol or getting drunk.
Crazy die-hard partygoers decide to stay around for more music from the DJ and party, sing, and dance along the cobblestone streets until dawn and later.
Others are content to start heading back down Corso Telesio’s undulating hill. Descending back across the historic stone Ponte Mario Martire crossing the Busento River and back to the new town, a few bars are still open along Corso Mazzini.
If you want to know more about vibrant Cosenza, then read on as I love to share Cosenza with everyone!
Previous New Year’s Eve in Italy
Pisa was the stunning backdrop to celebrate New Year’s Eve in 2018.
Back in 2015, Pozzuoli south of Naples was magic fun during New Year’s Eve.
Friends from the UK joined us for a brief stint, while we travelled around Europe in Reg, the motorhome.
A little on Cosenza
You can be forgiven for not ever hearing or connecting the name Cosenza with Italy. After all, I still believe this city in Calabria is undiscovered – maybe locals want this or not, varies on the Cosentino. I’ve published many posts on Cosenza should you feel like reading more on this vibrant city.
Cosenza is renown as the ‘City of Art’ or ‘Athens of Italy’, due to its rich artistic and historical heritage dating back centuries. In fact, there is so much to explore in Cosenza that you really need several weeks or more, to absorb what Cosenza offers.
A plethora of museums, rich art treasures, gorgeous historical architecture, medieval churches, imposing cathedrals, throw in the deliciously unique and fresh Calabrese cuisine, then there really isn’t a reason to leave the city.
Almost forgotten Cosenza Vecchia (Old Cosenza, or Old Town) and the new bustling Cosenza are carved apart by the beautiful Crati and Busento Rivers. The latter flows from the stunning but rugged Apennine Mountain range, to the Ionian Sea.
A brief moment in time
Cosenza’s tumultuous history compounds its continual renewal following crucial, events – damage by earthquakes in 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th-centuries. Bombing by the Allies during World War II. Also, an arena of fierce uprisings for Italian independence and proclaimed a republic in 1799, which follows ancient Cosentia’s chequered past.
The Romans took Cosentia from the Italic tribe the Brutti in 204 BC, followed by occupation by the Byzantines, Saracens, Normans, Angevins, and the Spanish.
Where is Cosenza?
Nestled between southern Italy’s glistening Tyrrhenian Sea on the east and gorgeous Ionian Sea on the west of Calabria, defined by majestic mountains and hills, Cosenza is an eclectic city.
A bus or train from Rome, Naples, or other parts of the country inter-connects Cosenza to the rest of the country.
Only an hour’s picturesque drive south of Cosenza, Lamezia Terme International Airport also connects this city to Italy and the rest of the world.
Surrounded by seven commanding hills, Cosenza offers a pleasant micro-climate. Valleys, rolling plains, archaeological sites, and much more in Cosenza’s vicinity, offers, a deluge of activities. Have I sold you on Cosenza yet?
Make sure to check out my post on Cosenza, Calabria: Italy’s Undiscovered City, where I take you on an in-depth tour of this fabulous city.
Leaving Cosenza for six weeks and arriving in Australia in early 2020, who would have thought that countries would succumb to COVID-19, causing such human destruction and preventing all travel…
Visit Nilla’s Photography for more global images. More posts on Italy.
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