www.CalabrianGenealogy

Calabria is the southern-most portion of Italy. It is the most remote portion of Italy and the most different both in it's culture and landscapes. Calabria is comprised of 5 provinces. Located at the northern border of Calabria is Cosenza Province, and south of Cosenza Province is Vibo Valentia, Catanzaro, Crotone and Reggio Calabria. Vibo Valentia and Crotone are new Provinces created in the early 1990's - prior to that they were part of Catanzaro Province.

Calabria is home to several terrains and landscapes. The east and west is bordered by the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas. In between are rugged mountains and fertile vallleys and villages that offer a different culture and language (dialect) than the rest of Italy. There is a national park located in Cosenza Province. There are numberous mountains scattered throughout the region namely the Sila, Pollino and Aspromonte and of course, beautiful seaside villages. This region has been influenced by the Greeks, the Romans, Albanians, Austrians, Germans, Spainish and the Middle eastern countries of The Ottoman Empire. The Calabrian region has always been more isolated from the rest of the regions of Italy. Separated by dialects, traditions and it's rugged terrain and poverty.

The History of Calabria

Calabria has a long history dating back to primitive man (see section on Cosenza Province). It's land has been influenced by the Normans, the Ottoman Empire, the Greeks and more. Many wars have been waged on this land as well as devastating natural disasters, famines and diseases such as malaria and cholera.

The region was ruled by the Roman Empire. Upon the fall of the Roman Empire, Calabria remained under the rule of the Byzantines, however, many conflicts occurred with the Ottoman Empire and the Lombards who tried to gain control over this area. In about 1,000 AD the Normans came and took over the area. Evidence of their control here still exists today in many villiages with the remains of their castles, towers and other buildings contructed during their reign.

Risorgimento (Resurgence)

About 1815-1870

The Risorgimento was the period of Italian unification. Prior to this Italy was made up of separate states under different rule. Each region or state had different rulers and laws. This resurgence began after the rule of Napoleon. During Napoleon's short rule beginning in 1802 he renamed the area The Italian Republic, then in 1805 it was renamed The Kingdom Of Italy. The countries or states that made up what is now known as Italy were The Kingdom Of Two Sicilies which consisted of everything south of Naples, it's ruling capital, The Papal states which were ruled by the Pope north from Rome, Venice, Lombardy, Piedmont and Tuscany. The resurgence began as a power struggle between Eugène de Beauharnais (son of Josephine, stepson of Napoleon), Viceroy of Italy and Giovanni Murat, King of Naples and Sicily (a former General under Napoleon). Murat made a call to patriotism which began the resurgence. Although his quest for power failed and ended with his execution. But, his call to patriotism was remembered.

More to come soon...

Coming soon!!

Earthquakes

Pictured here in King Vittorio Emmanuele II, examining the damage caused by the December, 1908 earthquake.

The Calabrian region has been devastated by numberous earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tidal waves. Over the centuries, thousands of Calabrese have lost their lives to these. There are volcanos close to Calabria (but not in Calabria), Stromboli and Mount Etna. The activity of these volcanos causes the land to be unstable and subject to earthquakes. Additionally, the plates between Europe and Africa are active in the region of Southern Italy. The first scientifically studied earthquake occured in Calabria beginning on February 4, 1783 and over a period of the next 2 months 5 more earthquakes struck the Calabrian region. Over 50,000 lives were lost.

Major earthquakes that occurred in the Calabrian Region:

1638

February 5 through March 28, 1783 (50,000 died)

1788 (1,000 died)

October 12, 1835 (1,000 died)

February 12, 1854

1857 (10,000 died)

September, 1895 (3,000 died and injured)

September 8, 1905

October 23, 1907

December 28, 1908

In 1905 an earthquake hit the Calabrian region that was responsible for killing about 5,000 people and destroying 25 villages.

December 28, 1908 a massive earthquake struck Messina, Sicily and Calabria. The quake caused a tsunami with 40 foot waves that devastated the coastal towns. The total estimated death toll was between 70,000 - 100,000 but some estimates were as high as 200,000 as shown in the French publication on the left. The tsunami was the largest recorded tsunami ever to hit Europe. The earthquake caused Mount Etna to become active.

More coming soon on earthquakes.

Art from a French period magazine

Aberesh - Albanian Italians

Throughout Calabria are Aberesh communities that have a culture and dialect separate than that of other Calabrians. There are entire villages that are considered Aberesh villages that were established by the Albanians hundreds of years ago.

What is Aberesh?

Aberesh is the intertwined cultures of Albanians and Italian people. It all began in the year 1448 when the King of Naples, enlisted the help of General Demitrios Reres of Albania to assist him with an uprising of rebels in Naples. In exchange for his help, land in Catanzaro was offered as a reward along with a title of governor. The General's help proved valuable and the uprising was stopped. Later, the King enlisted the Albanian's help again and more land was given. The Albanians set up homes on the land they were given and started families. Later as the Ottoman Empire invaded Albania, many Albanians immigrated to Southern Italy increasing these Abersh communities. In the 1700's another wave of Albanians immigrated to Southern Italy when 6,000 Christian Albanians were slaughtered for their refusal to convert to Islam.

An excellent site which goes into great details about the Aberesh people and their history can be found here. It is an external site not affiliated with this site. Remember to come back here.