Lamezia Terme, commonly named Lamezia, is an Italian city of 70,261 inhabitants, in the province of Catanzaro in the Calabria region. Lamezia is located on the eastern border of the coastal plain commonly called Piana di Sant'Eufemia, which was created by drying a wide marshy area. Its territory includes those of the former municipalities of Nicastro, Sambiase, Sant'Eufemia Lamezia. MAIN SIGHTS
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> The Castle is today an ensemble of ruins occupying the summit of a hill 320m high. It was built, according to some scholars, by the Bruttii or by Greeks colonists. The current structure dates probably from the Norman domination, although some structure existed at the time of the Ostrogoth king Teia. In 1122 Pope Callixtus II resided here for fifteen days. Later, the castle was enlarged by Constance of Hauteville and his son Frederick II, as well as by the Angevines. The castle was heavily damaged by the earthquakes of 1609, 1638 and 1783, and subsequently abandoned.
--> The Bastion of the Knights of Malta is a massive, well-preserved watchtower built in 1550 by the Spanish viceroy of Naples Pedro de Toledo. It was assigned to the Knights, who had a fief in the neighbourhood. Ruins of several other watchtowers are in the area.
--> Near 'Sant'Eufemia, the ruins of the Cistercian abbey of Santa Maria di Corazzo can be seen. It was founded around 1060. Joachim of Fiore was an abbot here, and Bernardino Telesio wrote many of his philosophical works here in 1554. The abbey of the 40 Martyrs (Lamezia Terme - Sambiase), created in the 9th-10th century, is still active.
--> The Diocesan Museum houses an Arab-Norman ivory case (12th century), paintings of 17th-18th centuries and other works.
--> Eco-museum of Lamezia Terme in Sambiase.
--> There are numerous churches of Sambiase di Lamezia Terme. The most important is Saint Pancrazio's church where there are some of Mattia Preti's pictures, fantastic statues and frescoes. It was a symbol of the new Sambiase in eitheenth century. TRANSPORTATION
The central location of Lamezia Terme in Calabria has made it the main transportation hub of the region.
- The city is situated adjacent to the infamous A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria Motorway, and the SS 288 State Route runs to Catanzaro from Lamezia.
- The central railway station, on the main line leading from Reggio to Naples, is a major terminal for goods traffic. Secondary branches connect to Catanzaro and Crotone.
- Lamezia is the site of the Lamezia Terme International Airport, built in 1976. The airport has both national and international connections.
