Crotone

The city of Crotone was founded in 718 B.C. by the Achaean population who, thanks to their architectural skills, built a massive Greek Polis. Under the Roman rule, the city declined. But it was during the Byzantine dominion that the town enjoyed a period of splendour and prosperity. One of the most important buildings of the town is the Castle of Charles V with high and strong walls, situated in a strategic location, overlooking the surrounding areas. In the 16th century, the city reached its maximum splendour and the modern town of Crotone, as we know it today, began to develop. The city, now the capital of Crotone province, boasts a notable historical centre as evidenced by the presence of many museums such as the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Crotone (Archaeological National Museum of Crotone), the Museo d'Arte Contemporanea (Museum of Contemporary Arts) and other tourist attractions such as the Torre di Nao (Nao Tower) and the Castle of Charles V. The town has a population of around 60,000 inhabitants and during the period between the First World War and the beginning of the Second World War it experienced a great demographic development favoured by its proximity to the water power plant. Crotone is served by an international airport connecting the town to the rest of the world. Among the other attractions of Crotone there are the Pinacoteca Bastione Toledo (Gallery), the Riserva Marina di Capo Rizzuto (Seaside natural reserve), the Parco Archeologico di Capo Colonna (Archaeological Site) and the Antiquarium di Torre Nao.