Campana is a charming town in the province of Cosenza, located in the Sila Greca area, approximately 600 meters above sea level. It lies at the center of an area rich in history, nature, and mystery, overlooking the Nicà River valley and offering views that extend all the way to the Ionian Sea.

It is best known for the famous Sila Stone Sculptures, two enigmatic megalithic structures that attract scholars, enthusiasts, and tourists.

Campana boasts ancient origins, still partly shrouded in mystery. According to some theories, the area was inhabited as early as the Enotrian and Brettian periods, while the current urban center developed in the Middle Ages.

The origins of the name have been the subject of various interpretations: from campo (open place) to a possible derivation from the Greek kampo, to even legends related to the presence of Basilian monks. Over the centuries, the village has maintained a strong rural and community identity, with traditions that are still alive today.

The most famous natural monument in the area are the Stone Sculptures: the “Giant”, an anthropomorphic figure approximately seven meters tall, and the “Horse”, a zoomorphic figure carved into the rock. Their origins are mysterious: some consider them natural works shaped by atmospheric agents, others believe they are sculptures created by the Brettii or prehistoric populations. Whatever the truth, it is a unique place in Italy and extremely fascinating.

The ghost town of Sila

Campana is called “the ghost town of Sila” because a very ancient part of the village, the original core often called Campana Vecchia or Rione Santo Stefano, is now completely abandoned and retains a suspended, almost unreal atmosphere. This is the oldest part of the village, built of stone and perched on a steep ridge. During the twentieth century, especially between the 1950s and 1970s, many residents left these ancient homes to move to newer, more comfortable areas of the village or to emigrate. The houses, already old and difficult to maintain, were abandoned one after another, transforming the entire neighborhood into a silent and empty place.

Today, strolling through those alleys means immersing yourself in a landscape of roofless walls, broken arches, narrow streets overgrown with vegetation, and the remains of houses that seem to have stood still for centuries. The atmosphere is powerfully evocative: time seems to have retreated, leaving behind only traces of life, as if the village had suddenly been frozen. This combination of ruins and silence has fueled the image of Campana as a “ghost town”, a place that preserves the memory of what once was and continues to live only through its stones.

This perception is also reinforced by the natural context surrounding Campana, a rugged and ancient landscape, marked by the sculpted forms of the Sila Greca and the enigmatic megalithic sculptures of the “Giant and Horse”. Despite being a vibrant modern town, Campana embodies a dual spirit: on the one hand, the present of a lively community, on the other, a fragment of the past that survives as a quiet village, frozen in time, captivating visitors.

Nature and Landscapes

Campana is immersed in a rich natural landscape: chestnut, oak, and pine forests, the Sila Greca plateaus, valleys, and panoramic views of the Ionian Sea—perfect areas for hiking and nature trails.

The surrounding area offers an ideal setting for nature lovers, landscape photography, and slow tourism.

The town retains an ancient charm, where past and nature blend harmoniously. There are several points of interest in and around the village:

• The 16th-century Mother Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie
• The Church of the Assumption
• The historic center, with stone houses, narrow streets, and an authentic atmosphere
• Remains and evidence of the Basilian tradition
• The archaeological site of rock carvings

Traditions and gastronomy

Campana has a rich gastronomic tradition linked to the products of the Sila Greca: porcini mushrooms, local meats and cured meats, homemade pasta such as riganati, tagliatelle, and lagane, traditional holiday desserts, and locally produced olive oil, wine, and honey.

Religious and popular festivals—including those dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie and San Domenico—are deeply felt by the community.