Cerchiara di Calabria

Cerchiara di Calabria
Comune
Comune di Cerchiara di Calabria

Coat of arms
Location of Cerchiara di Calabria
Cerchiara di Calabria Location of Cerchiara di Calabria in Italy Show map of Italy Cerchiara di Calabria Cerchiara di Calabria (Calabria) Show map of Calabria
Coordinates: 39°51′N 16°23′E / 39.850°N 16.383°E / 39.850; 16.383
Country	Italy
Region	Calabria
Province	Cosenza (CS)
Government
• Mayor	Antonio Carlomagno
Area ^[1]
• Total	81 km² (31 sq mi)
Population (30 June 2012)^[2]
• Total	2,447
• Density	30/km² (78/sq mi)
Demonym	Cerchiaresi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	87070
Dialing code	0981
Patron saint	St. Boniface
Website	Official website

Cerchiara di Calabria is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza, part of the Calabria region of southern Italy.

Located in the Pollino National Park, Cercharia occupies the ancient site of Arponium in Magna Graecia, later known as Circlarium. During the Norman period it was part of the lands of the Clermont (Chiaramonte) family, when most of the Byzantine institutions were reformed in the Latin rite.

The town's main attraction is the Sanctuary of S. Maria delle Armi. The cells of hermit monks of Greek origin on Monte Sellario were already established by the 10th century. In the mid-15th century a cult developed in connection with ancient Byzantine icons. The small chapel shrine excavated in the rock was enlarged in the early 16th century under the patronage of Pietro Antonio Sanseverino. In following eras a hospice for pilgrims was added and the palace of the Pignatelli di Cerchiara family. The resulting church is made asymmetrical by its position against the cliff face.