Crotone
Crotone ( in ancient Croton ) is an Italian provincial capital in the southeast of the country with 59 342 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012). City and province of Crotone in the region of Calabria on the Ionian Sea near the Gulf of Taranto.
Location and data
The city had about 60,000 inhabitants in 1992; on May 31, 2005, there were 60.503 inhabitants here. The districts are Papanice, Apriglianello, Carpentieri, Cipolla, Farina, Gabella Grande, Iannello, Maiorano and Margherita.
The neighboring municipalities are Cutro, Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Rocca di Neto, Scandale and Strongoli.
History
Antiquity
According to Greek mythology, the city of Alemons son Myskelos was founded on the heroes who died in Croton grave.
The ancient Croton was founded at the end of the 8th century BC by Achaean Greeks near the present site and became a rich city. It was part of Magna Graecia. 12 km southeast of Croton is the headland of Capo Colonna, the ancient Lakinion with his Heraheiligtum, known as the venue of the federal Italiote, an association of Greek colonizers against the Italians. In Croton, the famous Zeuxis in the temple of Juno is said to have created an image of Helena, ideal image of female beauty, by taking the five most beautiful virgins to the model because perfect beauty in nature not vorkomme in a person. Many famous athletes of the ancient Olympic Games, including the famous wrestler Milon, came from Croton. Around 530 BC, the philosopher Pythagoras settled in Crotona and founded the Community of the Pythagoreans. As early as the 5th century BC, the medical school of Croton enjoyed great fame; already in the late 6th century, a native of Croton Demokedes was one of the most prominent physicians of the Greek culture. The city fell in 277 BC Roman possession.
Medieval and modern times
982 Emperor Otto II was defeated by the Saracens in the Battle of Cape Colonna in Crotone.
After the Battle of Civitate Crotone was conquered by the Normans. With the Norman kingdom of Crotone in 1194 also fell to the Staufer. From 1282 to 1860 Crotone belonged to the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. But the kings were far away; as their vassals exercised an almost unlimited domination noble families from violence, as in Crotone and its surrounding areas, in the so-called Margraviate of Crotone ( Marchesato di Crotone or Marchesato crotonese ) since 1390, the family Ruffo.
In 1992, the province of Crotone was separated from the province of Catanzaro.
Economy
Crotone has a harbor and is a trading center for agricultural products. In addition, chemical factories are located. Among the most outstanding buildings in the town include a cathedral and a castle from the 16th century. Crotone has an airport ( Aeroporto di Crotone S. Anna ).
Personalities
- Pythagoras (6th century BC), Greek philosopher
- Milon (6th century BC ), Greek wrestler
- Astylos of Croton (5th century BC ), Greek bishop
- Rino Gaetano (1950 - 1981), Italian singer-songwriters
- Vincenzo Iaquinta, Italian footballer.
Attractions
- Dom with a Byzantine Madonna
- Fort
- Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Crotone