Crucoli, history, Sardella and good wine

Crucoli is a town of almost 2,900 inhabitants in the province of Crotone located on the hills at 380 m. SlM about 13 km from the Ionian coast, in the hinterland of the coast of Cirò Marina and Torre Melissa. A Greek colony and then a Roman possession, it lived its best period in the feudal era when it gained notoriety for its craft activities such as the art of decorating fabrics with oriental designs and that of weaving wicker to make high-quality baskets. Today the village is known for tourism, as well as for its eno-gastronomic productions such as the Cirò DOC wine, for its historic center and, with its hamlet less than 8 km northeast of the Ionian Sea, Torretta di Crucoli, such as seaside resort. Fishing has also always been a driving activity, developed with the contribution of a colony of Tarantine fishermen who settled on these coasts in search of new fish banks to draw from. In this context, the town is renowned for Sardella paired with wine, from which the homonymous festival which takes place in August draws inspiration. There are numerous testimonies of the past that can be traced in Crucoli, such as the archaeological area in the Elo locality, in which vestiges of classical settlements have been found, the Urban Walls built to defend against Turkish invasions in medieval times and, in Torretta, the Sanctuary of Madonna di Manipuglia, always from the same period. One of the most interesting sites is the Norman Castle, inside the feud that belonged, among others, to the Gentile family, restored and partly rebuilt on the original construction of the 11th century. For those looking for a full immersion in history seasoned with good food and washed down with excellent wine, a trip to Crucoli is almost mandatory.