Cutro

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Comune di Cutro
Coat of arms of Comune di Cutro
Municipal coat of arms
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Calabria
Province Crotone (KR)
Mayor Salvatore Migale
Area 226 km² (87 sq mi)
Population (as of December 31, 2004)
 - Total 10,474
 - Density 46/km² (119/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 39°01′58″N, 16°58′57″E
Gentilic Cutresi
Dialing code 0962
Postal code 88842
Frazioni San Leonardo, Steccato
Patron SS. Crucifix
 - Day May 3
Website: www.comune.cutro.kr.it

Cutro is a town in the province of Crotone, Calabria region, Italy.

The Chiesa Madre of Cutro.
The Chiesa Madre of Cutro.

[edit] History

Cutro was a Greek colony of Magna Grecia, with the name of Kyterion.

It obtained the title of city in 1575 by the Spanish King Philip II, after the local chess champion Giò Leonardo Di Bona had won a contest at the Spanish court.

Cutro was destroyed by an earthquake on March 8, 1832. It remained the most populous centre of the region until the mid-20th century, when a strong emigration flow towards Germany and northern Italy (especially in Reggio Emilia) reduced the number of inhabitants considerably.