Insights into the Albanian culture in Cività

For more than 500 years Albanian culture has played an significant role in about 32 villages in Calabria, especially in the villages of Cività, Frascineto and San Demetrio Corone. The first Albanians arrived as soldiers in southern Italy at the beginning of the 15th century to support the troops of Alfons V of Aragon in their fight against the mighty Angevins. As gratitude for their help, they were given territories where they could settle. After the conquest of Albania by the Turks in 1478, a great wave of emigration from their homeland began.

Cività offers an interesting and exciting natural and cultural spectacle in a small space. On arrival in the village in the north of the region you will come across monuments of the Albanian national hero: A wall picture shows Giorgio Kastriota fighting the Turks, next to him is a bust of the “Skanderberg”, as he is also called.

The ethnographic museum offers an insight into the culture of the Arberesh, in which the typical Albanian costumes and festive occasions, as well as the former everyday life of the people in Cività are shown. Even today, every Tuesday after Easter, the traditional costumes in red, azure and white silk embroidered with gold vests are worn at the famous “vallja” dance.

Albanians are under the authority of the Roman Church and are Catholic, but practice the Greek-Byzantine rite, which they share with the Orthodox Church.