February 3rd 2013
Numbers and statistics
More than 25% houses have been sold since May 2010, and the houses archive has been growing until now, reaching 136 currently. This site has steadily continued to being visited, accepting "virtual visitors" coming from 123 States (of 194 Independent States in the whole World), visiting us for 59.525 times. The most clicking States are Italy (46.676 visits), Netherlands (5.465), USA (2.204), United Kingdom (847), Germany (663), France (375), Canada (339), Brazil (317), Switzerland (253), Belgium (236), Spain (169) and Argentina (130). The results are provided by Google Analytics service.
June 30th 2012
TG2 Dossier talks about us
The depopulation of the italian villages is the main subject of the June 30th special episode of TG2 Dossier. Going from the mountain villages of north Italy, now unhabited, to our little village where "A house in San Basile" brought great and unexpected results and the increase in population. The reportage extract is uploaded on YouTube at this link.
April 4th 2012
San Basile going to Bruxelles
The European Parliament invites the City of San Basile to join the group of 25 most virtuous cities of Calabria as model of good governance in South Italy. Most of the contributions goes to the project "A house in San Basile" and to the actions of the Municipal Administration. The web-zine Paese24.it, a online newsletter working in the north-eastern Calabria, talks about San Basile in the article available clicking here.
THE TOWN - San Basile
San Basile is a little Arbëreshë village at the up edge of Calabria, precisely at the feet of Pollino mountain and in the area of the Pollino National Park. There live about 1100 inhabitants and it is a community established nearly in 1450.
Nature and culture are the main characters in this little town: the typical and exclusive landscape and gastronomy; the mild scents of the Mediterranean soil, in a really unique and relaxing layout with breathtaking views; the old town, with its typical "supports" and the churches keeping the well-known Byzantine icons and the beautiful wall paintings; the mysticism of the church services with the greek-byzantine ceremony; the rural farmhouses with their farm yards and their folds and finally the old Basilian Monastery (there are only three in Italy).
Moreover the area in which San Basile extends, basing on the pollutants supervised by Arpacal for the atmosphere and environment quality controls, is a part of "hill areas without pressure specific components".
Climate
San Basile is placed on a middle hill altitude and has a characteristic physical geology: these are two main reasons why San Basile enjoys a temperate climate.
The town is situated between 540 and 570 metres above sea level and it rises on the bottom level of the Pollino National Park westerner mountainous area: this characteristic ensures daily cooling down and cool evenings during summer. Fall is rainy but with mild temperatures. Winter is not particularly cold, even due to the Pollino "wall" situated to the north, however with frequent snowfalls. Finally, spring is usually mild with some rainfalls expecially in the first half of the season.
The rainy season lasts from november to march and the wind load is generally low.
The surroundings
Far about 2 km from the town it can be found the archaeological area of the old "Sassonia" with the Longobardi walls and the Coscile gorges view; about 12 km off, the plains of Novacco and Masistro, provided with logistical and receptive structures (cross-country skiing in winter, horse riding, archery etc. during summer); about 6 km off you can visit the old town centre of Morano Calabro and its Vivarini polyptych; at 18 km off, the Raganello river gorges of Civita; far about 30 km, the Lao river gorges with its rafting experience. Moreover, the Jonio's beachs are far about 35 km from San Basile and they can be reached travelling on easy road; finally, at 6 km off, the city of Castrovillari offers any kind of service and supports medical aid with its modern hospital.
San Basile and its surroundings offer more and more: speleology, archaeology, ecotourism and, most of all, excellent climate, fresh air, absolute high quality water, no noise pollution, high safety and peacefulness because of the total lack of crime, a friendly and welcoming environment, typical local tastes (figs, olive oil, bread, wine, mushrooms, oregano, hot pepper).
All these peculiarities determine a high rated livability easily perceived.
Services
In the local area there can be found: chemist, post office, county police, day nursery and primary school, sports structures (soccer field and five-a-side pitch, tennis court, volleyball court, bowling green), minimarket, ADSL Internet and free Internet Wi-Fi.
In the neighbourhood: the hospital of Castrovillari (far about 5 km from the town), banks (present in Castrovillari, Saracena and Morano Calabro), the court and other several Govern Departments, hotels and B&B (present in Castrovillari and Morano Calabro).
How to arrive to San Basile
Coming from north: leaving the A3 highway at MORANO CALABRO, then going on toward San Basile for 6 km. Coming from south: leaving the A3 highway at FRASCINETO-CASTROVILLARI, then going on toward San Basile for about 14 km.
By airplane, landing at Lamezia Terme (Catanzaro) Airport and then proceeding on the A3 highway toward Salerno and following the "coming from south" directions. By rail, getting off at Castiglione Cosentino (Cosenza) Train Station and proceeding again on the A3 highway toward Salerno and following the "coming from south" directions.
Deepenings
- San Basile (Wikipedia, ITA)
- Arbëreshë people (Wikipedia, EN)