Clustered on a hilltop, Rende is a lively university town in the heart of Calabria. It’s home to a grand Norman castle and beautifully decorated churches, as well as a fascinating cultural history museum housed within a former palace.
Things to do in Rende
Dominating Rende is its Norman castle, which was built in the 11th century and features three towers that have become town symbols. It has small windows where crossbows could be fired at invading troops and coats of arms belonging to the wealthy Magdalone and Alarcón de Mendoza families.
Delve into the local history at the Civic Museum of Rende, housed within the ornate Zagarese Palace. Paintings by Mattia Preti, Cristoforo Santanna and Renato Guttuso are displayed alongside artefacts, costumes and photographs detailing the culture and folklore of the region.
Admire the dome fresco by renowned local artist Achille Capizzano that adorns the 17th-century Sanctuary of the Madonna di Costantinopoli. Works by El Greco can be seen in the Shrine of Our Lady of Constantinople’s art gallery while Cristoforo Santanna’s “Madonna with Child” decorates the church choir.
Cristoforo Santanna’s paintings also adorn the late-Baroque Church of the Rosary, which features exquisite decorative glass in its large panel window. The Chiesa del Ritiro is also of note for its sculptural works crafted by local artisans and is situated in a 12th-century monastery built by the Normans.
Getting around Rende
Rende is around 3.5 hours’ drive south of Naples and Lamezia Terme International Airport is one hour’s drive away. Rende is connected to the surrounding towns and villages by buses and is compact enough to explore on foot.