other LOMBARD CENTERS on boundary Byzantine-Lombard in CALABRIA

Dear readers, in this post I'll tell you of other lombard little centers near to the limes Byzantine-Lombard in Calabria

follow me....

Let's recap: the most important Lombard cities (called Gastaldat) in Calabria were:

Cosenza

Malvito

Cassano

Laino

Other cities: Let's go

Map of Calabria in the VIII century a.D.: in withe Lombard territory and in grey Byzantine territory, in blu centers to south-west of Cosenza and near to the Limes "byzantine-Lombard".

Was contested territory....

Historians say that: the boundary between the duchies  in the VII century a.D. is given by Savuto river (reconquered by Byzantine end VIII century a.d.) towards the Tyrrhenyan and Crati river to east. Here some border towns were born between VII and X century a.D., positioned on the foothills to controll the valleys and the passageways to Cosenza and Crati valley.

Savuto river (in blu) - natural limit in the VII century a.C.

Note - The municipal territory of these cities in question are crossed by Savuto river, in VII century a.D. until end VIII century a.D. was the natural boundary between the two duchies.

The bourder between the two duchies appears more complex and articulated, for now only the toponomy helps us to understand the history of place.

Longobardi founded by the lombard King Liutprando in VIII century a.C. , was a customs to enter in lombard territory, was situated to north from Amantea (byzantine city). Longobardi was situated near the coast and from its heights controlled also the sea in case of byzantine attacks.

We know that, to north of Longobardi there was a very busi road (of paving stones furrowed by wagon) that led to the fortification called "Castellaccio" through a pass in monte Cocuzzo (map below).

mount Cocuzzo pass, very busy by Lombard troops, WOW!!!😍

(foto by Lorenzo Russo)

lombard King Liutprando

Longobardi nowadays

Grimaldi - according to scholars perhaps founded in VII century a.C. by King Grimoaldo (?) and first Duke of Benevento.

lombard King Grimoaldo

old town of Grimaldi

Aiello Calabro, Belmonte and Lago in Lombard period in Calabria (VII-VIII and IX centuries a.C.) did not exist yet, were born between IX and X century a.C., when the coastal population and neighboring valleys move on the heighs, to protect themselves from saracen attacks. Therefore, founded in the last byzantine phase due to saracens raids.

Aiello Calabro and in foreground the norman castle (XI century a.C.)

CONCLUSION: the knowledge on that particular historical period (VII-VIII century a.D.) of the Calabria is limited due to the few documents available.

Therefore between Cosenza and Amantea there were  only the centers of Grimaldi and Longobardi, so other archaeological excavation are awaited for confirmation.

Dott. Giuseppe Lombardo