A village in the Presila Cosentina, in Calabria, Campana is situated at about 600 meters above sea level. It owes its name to the large bell that warned inhabitants of Saracen raids.
In its historic center, known as Rione Terra, there are constructions that date back to ancient times, such as the Clock Tower, the only remaining testimony of the ancient city walls, and the Trinity gate, a medieval gate also known as the Gate of Eternity. According to popular belief, anyone who passes under the gate while climbing the steep road from the valley to the village will live to be a hundred years old, all'Iartu e d'Eternità, chine ci passe arrive a cent'anni.
In the ancient Piazza Parlamento, the center of political life in the 19th century, you will find the Church of San Domenico Guzmán, the patron saint of the village, and nearby, the Church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli, founded by the Basilian Monks, along with the "Confraternity of Maria S.S. di Costantinopoli." The Confraternity, composed of men and women, provides valuable social services to the community and is active in traditional religious celebrations. The main church of the village is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the heart of the historic center.
A place shrouded in mystery is the Invallicata area, about 3 km from the village, where the Stone Giants stand, rock formations whose date and nature are unknown. According to some hypotheses, the statues were created by human hands, while others suggest they were shaped by atmospheric agents. It is certain that they are already mentioned in the map of Calabria drawn by Giovanni Antonio Magini in 1603, who identified the place as "Il Cozzo dei Giganti." The first statue has the features of an Elephant and is 5.5 meters tall; the second, standing at 7.5 meters, represents a Colossus, of which only the base remains.
The Stone Giants are the protagonists of "The Ancient Megaliths of Sila", a documentary released in 2025 by Delta Star Pictures, created with the collaboration of experts such as Ilaria Cristofaro (CNR | ISPC researcher), Domenico Canino (architect and scholar), Daniele Marino (art historian), and Agostino Chiarello (mayor of Campana). The documentary will be distributed not only in Italy but also in the United States, England, and Japan.
Near Campana:
- Bocchigliero Forests
- San Giovanni in Fiore
- Sila National Park
