Sellia Marina
Sellia Marina is a municipality in Catanzaro in the Calabria region of Italy. This area is most known for its bountiful agricultural produce. While the major harvests are of citrus fruits and olives, other fruits, grains and vegetables are also grown in the area. Both residents and visitors alike enjoy these fruits of the land as they make their way to the numerous hotels, bars, pizzerias, and restaurants all around the town.
Walking around town, one will be enthralled by pastoral scenes provided by fields and plantations where one may chance upon shepherds with their sheep, goats, and cows. The walking tour can be extended to explore the caves in the hills. There are also ruins that date back to Roman times such as an ancient aqueduct.
However, what makes ones visit to Sellia Marina more colorful are the religious festivals. The religious traditions and beliefs of the locals are a curious mix of superstitions, pagan rituals and Christian rites.
Two of these festivals are the Festa della Cunfrunta and the Festa di San Nicola. The Festa della Cunfrunta takes place during Easter. This festival commemorates the request of the Blessed Mother to Saint John to seek the risen Jesus. The Festa di San Nicola is celebrated during May instead of St Nicholas day on December 6. This is a two-day celebration comprising of a procession, street paintings of the life of St. Nicholas, and a small festival of sweets.
Other minor religious festivals are the celebration of the Holy Supper, and the feast days of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Lady of the Rosary, and St Anthony.
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