San Fili - Geography
 
 

Were is it? Panorama San Fili is a town located on the west side of Crati Valley, on the superhighway Paola-Cosenza- Crotone, 18 kilometers from Cosenza and 16 kilometers from the Tirreno Sea.
San Fili is situated 550 meters above sea level and is inhabited by about 2700 people. The town borders San Vincenzo La Costa on the north, San Lucido on the west, and with Rendeand Marano Marchesato on the Southeast. When using the old Paola- Cosenza road, San Fili appears suddenly in all its urban extension, precariously attached to the mountain like a 'Presepe', surrounded by a forest of chestnut trees. A hilly town, but very close to the beach and to the high mountains( it is less then 30 minutes away from Camigliatello, in Sila). Located on the granite and gneiss rocks of the Catena Costiera Tirrenica Panorama of Calabria. The territory is varied and picturesque. Larch and hazelnut, pine and birch abound in the forests of Luta ,Panorama Tansia and the Crocetta(980 meters above sea level); closer to the town the ancient chestnut trees surround the town and characterize a town always immersed in green and known for its abundant spring waters. Continuing south, toward the valley we find the neighborhoods of Ortale, Frassino at one time rich of fruit trees and vegetables, and, towards Rende, Cucchiano know for the cultivation of figs.
 
 
 

Bucita

Bucita With a Bourbonic law of 1816, the village of Bucita was assigned to San Fili, until then it belonged to the town of Montalto Uffugo. The village of Bucita is 2 km North-West of San Fili. The name comes from the Latin 'Bucetum' (Pasture). Popular tradition remembers Bucita as 'Fuggita', that is as a free zone where outlaws rested after crossing the Franchino Bridge over the Tommarinaro brook. Bucita's main church, was built next to a rural chapel where the Abbot Gioacchino used to preach, and it is dedicated to Saint Lucy. At one time, once a year, during Easter, the teenagers of San Fili and of Bucita used to have the 'Fight of the rocks' on the road halfway between the two towns. Even today, there still exist a certain rivalry between the inhabitants of San Fili And Bucita.
 
 

The Emoli

It is a small river that feeds from the waters of the springs in Pompone and Terriforte . Flows to the valley and at 'e Jumiceddre the Fiumicelle receives the waters of the Cannili; skirts the town and, in the territory of Rende, next to Castiglione Scalo, ends its run into the Crati River. On the river banks, strip of very fertile land, produced tasteful vegetables and wild berries. At one time, the water used to be drinkable throughout its run , full of trouts, eels, pikes and royal fish. Next to the Fiumicelle there used to be a sprawling field, were the lovers used to meet next to a Roman bridge that recently lost its originality in an attempt to restore it. At the beginning of this century, a power plant was built (1905), under the initiative of the engineer Giuseppe Cannataro, which provided electricity for the town . During the summer, the small basin created by the dam was used like a pool by the local boys.
 
 

The water

The territory surrounding San Fili is full of water. Springs clear and pure in the mountains, streams and brooks, are used to irrigate the fields, skirting the town north of XX September Ave(acquaru).
Very much appreciated are the diuretic waters of the 'Pulizia' spring located just outside the town, in the location from which the name was derived. Recent improvements to the area of the spring have made more convenient the facilities and in addition to the local residents, many travelers, especially during the summer, come to San Fili from Cosenza and nearby towns to use and supply themselves with this delicious water.
 
 
 

Edited and translated to English by Pietro Parrinello- Selden- USA May 16, 1997


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