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Catanzaro

CatanzaroThe city of Catanzaro almost certainly evolved from an ancient Greek colony. In the Middle Ages, it was ruled alternately by the Byzantines and the Muslim Saracens, until the Norman conquest by Robert Guiscard. In the following centuries, Catanzaro saw its fortunes change several times, from a city which belonged to the crown to a fief of one of the great noble families, particularly the Ruffo. The thriving silk industry allowed local Catanzaro to enjoy a considerable degree of economic well-being. In 1528 it resisted the siege by the French, and thanks to that event obtained the title of “Faithful” from the Emperor Charles V (1500-1558) and the privilege of being able to introduce the imperial eagle in its coat of arms. Starting from 1593 and continuously for the next two centuries, Catanzaro was also the capital of the province of Calabria Ulteriore.