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Luzzi

Province: Cosenza · Region: Calabria · Population: 9,568 · Postal code: 87040

The name may come from three directions, and none of them rules out the others: from the de Luciis, the Norman family who arrived with Robert Guiscard and held the place in fief; from the Latin praenomen Lucius; or from the pike, lucci, that lived in the Ilice stream below the village. The de Luciis lost everything for taking part in the barons' conspiracy of 1246 against Frederick the Second, and were exiled to Malta; pope Innocent the Fourth gave their property back, and from 1272 the castle of Luzzi is again in the hands of a de Luciis.

Above the village stand the remains of the abbey of Santa Maria della Sambucina, founded in the twelfth century: it was the mother house of the Cistercians in Calabria and the first example of Gothic architecture in southern Italy. Joachim of Fiore lived there, the monk who awaited the third age of the Spirit, whom Dante names in the Comedy.

The Luzzi guide

Where to stay

Compare hotels, B&Bs and holiday homes on Booking.com for your dates.

Events & festivals 2

Next up: The Immaculate Conception, patron with the pilgrimage of Saint Aurelia Marcia, Friday 12 February

Getting there

Nearest airport: Lamezia Terme, 61 km away

🎉 Festivals and feasts in Luzzi 2

Patron saint festival In 120 days

The Immaculate Conception, patron with the pilgrimage of Saint Aurelia Marcia

📅 Every year, on 12 February; the co-patron Saint Francis of Paola is celebrated on 2 April

Luzzi celebrates its patron, the Immaculate Conception, on 12 February; the co-patron, Saint Francis of Paola, is celebrated on 2 April. The first Sunday of September draws a large pilgrimage from many towns of Calabria for Saint Aurelia Marcia, whose body was brought to a church in the town in the 18th century thanks to Cardinal Firrao.

Patron saint festival In 169 days

Saint Francis of Paola, co-patron alongside the Immaculate Conception

📅 Every year, on 2 April; the patron, the Immaculate Conception, is celebrated on 12 February

Luzzi celebrates Saint Francis of Paola, co-patron of the town, on 2 April, in the church dedicated to him; the patron, the Immaculate Conception, is instead celebrated on 12 February.

What's around

Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.

Near Luzzi

The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.

Rose Rose Cosenza · 6 km Bisignano Bisignano Cosenza · 6 km Acri Acri Cosenza · 10 km San Pietro in Guarano San Pietro in Guarano Cosenza · 11 km Castiglione Cosentino Castiglione Cosentino Cosenza · 11 km Santa Sofia d'Epiro Santa Sofia d'Epiro Cosenza · 12 km

Places to see within 25 km

Outside Luzzi, but an easy day trip away.

santuario della Madonna delle Grazie 📍 Livorno · 25 km Livorno's Montenero Sanctuary, dedicated to Tuscany's patron saint, features a vast gallery of historical ex-votos.