San Nicola dell’Alto, a small village in the province of Crotone, is one of the places where the Arbëreshë identity has maintained extraordinary strength over the centuries. Nestled among the rolling hills of the Sila Greca, surrounded by a luminous and silent nature, the town appears as a meeting point of history, tradition, and landscapes that seem to change with the passing of the seasons. The houses cluster around the historic center as if in an embrace, while the altitude offers sweeping views of mountains, valleys, and open sky.

The history of San Nicola dell’Alto is intimately linked to the arrival of the Albanians in Italy. After the fall of Albania to the Ottomans, interwoven families and groups of refugees crossed the sea and settled in Calabria, giving rise to communities that preserved the language, religious rites, and traditions of their homeland. San Nicola also began as an Arbëreshë settlement between the 15th and 16th centuries, and since then the village has maintained a surprising cultural continuity.

The Arbanese language, still spoken by many families today, represents one of the pillars of its identity. Religious traditions follow part of the Eastern rite, while customs, traditional costumes, songs, and folk tales testify to the richness of the community's memory. It is a town that has never denied its roots; rather, it has transformed them into a living part of everyday life.

Nature and Landscape

The landscape around San Nicola dell’Alto is gentle and harmonious. The hills extend into a succession of cultivated fields, olive groves, and patches of Mediterranean scrub that exude the scent of earth and wind. The light of the Sila Greca, clear and intense, accompanies the village from dawn to dusk, creating ever-changing atmospheres.

The area offers a sense of openness and tranquility, a perfect place for those who love walking, exploring nature, or simply sitting and gazing at the horizon. The silence, interrupted only by the sounds of the countryside, makes the town an ideal refuge for those seeking peace and authenticity.

Cultural Heritage and Arbëreshë Identity

The historic center of San Nicola dell’Alto retains a simple and authentic charm. The houses are harmoniously arranged along the slope, the alleys intertwine to create characteristic corners, and the central square remains the heart of social life. The church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, encapsulates the spirituality of the village and testifies to the continuity of the Byzantine rite, a distinctive element of the Arbëreshë communities.

What is most striking is the living presence of Albanian culture: in the words heard along the streets, in the stories of the elders, in the songs that resonate during celebrations, and in the marks this identity has left in the architecture and collective memory.

Gastronomy and Traditions

The cuisine of San Nicola dell’Alto reflects the history of the village, deeply tied to the land and the customs of the past. The dishes are typical of the Calabrian and Arbëreshë traditions: simple yet flavorful dishes, homemade pasta, traditional bread, wild herbs gathered in the surrounding area, cheeses, and local produce. Religious holidays and folk festivals become opportunities to rediscover ancient recipes, music, and dances that perpetuate the memory of a people who have never lost their sense of unity.