Cosenza Travel Forum

I posted this yesterday but I can't find it today! So - here goes - My cousins and I are visiting Cosenza, specifically, flying into Lameza Terme, driving to the hotel in Rende, and then trying to locate the birthplace of my grandmother - she was born in Rose which is north of the city of Cosenza.

We will be there a very short time - two nights, one full day and the morning of the second day.

Does anyone know if there is more than one church in Rose, Italy? Does anyone know if anyone in this small town speak English?

How about what not to miss in the area we will be in? Also I want to bring some gifts back from this area - any suggestions as to where to go for things made in Italy?

Hi Dawn, and welcome to Virtual Tourist.

Here is the link to your previous posting:

http://www.virtualtourist.com/f/p/189c8/

I'm sorry I can't help you with your question, but you can find all your previous Travel Forum Postings by clicking on the 'Latest Forum Postings' link on your Home Page, top left side of the page.

Regards

Good morning Dawn, I take it this is your first trip to the Calabria region. You are in for a treat. Ma Kettle was born in Cosenza, actually Carolei, slightly to the southwest. We were just there in July.

The scenery is wonderful, deep valleys, rough mountainous terrain, everything lush and green. Fantastic food, so tasty, cheap, but alas, bus service is difficult. I have no idea what Rosa is like, but be prepared to have to kill time waiting for public transportation. If at all possible, rent a car. It will make getting about so much easier. We stayed in Amantea, which is on the coast, and a bit of a tourist destination, and no taxi service was in existence, so be prepared for the same...but I don't know!! We were offered a ride to Cosenza by private transport...100 euro. (just as a guide)

Your schedule is very tight, so planning any major expeditions could be difficult. Since the area is so mountainous, distances on the map are deceiving, and because the roads are switchbacks, winding their way up, back and forth, driving time is considerably lengthened.

As far as suggestions for the region as gifts back home, look for Ricotta Salata, which is a salted ricotta for grating, as opposed to the Parmigiano reggiano favoured further north. Just make sure it is vacumn packed for customs. You could also purchase Ciro, the local wine, which is considered to be the oldest wine in the world. Either red or white. Lastly, and don't hold me accountable for the spelling...Caciocavallo, cow's milk cheese, easily recognized because it is tied around the middle. Always aged for one year. Don't buy the smoked, the unsmoked is nicer (in my opinion). Again, get it vacumn packed.

Hope I've been of help. Enjoy your holiday. You'll love the scenery. I guarantee it, or money refunded.

Pa

Thanks for helping me figure out the "system".

DM

Hi,
Our family is from Rose also. I beleive that there are 2 churchs in Rose itself. One in the piazza and one just down the hill a bit. Our Uncle had a bar just near there and we spent many days there. Rose is quaint to say the least. Trying to find people speaking English is quite difficult so to learn a bit of italian before you go would be advisable. It is quite funny but we were taught the dialect from our parents but now they all speak the proper italian over there. We tried our best but they found it rather funny that 2 professionals from australia spoke like "sheep hearders" and how could we possibly be professionals if we didn't even speak the proper italian. Somehow I don't think Italian is a pre requisite in OZ.
With such a short time there I'm not too sure what you want to see. I'd suggest a drive to La Sila. Spectacular in winter when it is covered in snow or perhaps a picnic at lago Chichita. Perhaps go to the main town Cosenza not too far from Rose.
As a 10 yr old I remembered the piazza in Rose being huge and then when i went back again many years later after seeing the biggest and best piazza's in italy I couldnot believe that all these years I had this image of the piazza being huge when in fact it was so small i nearly missed it. There is a good jewelery shop in Rende which is owned by a close friends nephew so if you want to buy nice jewellery there I'm sure that your relo's will know the shop owned by the Cairo's.

Any other info needed just email me and i'll repond.
hope you enjoy your time there, It really is beautiful.

Hi
Just like Rosie, my family was from Rose. Actually I was born there and visit quite often. There are four churches in Rose. Chiesa Martre, Cheisa Concrea, Chiese Madonna delle Grrazie, and Chiesa del Convente which is next to the cemetary. Which is a good place to visit if you want to find any family names. Keep in mind that the churches are not open daily and I believe one of them which is above the piazza may be going through renovation at this time and is closed. If you really want to go off on an adventure, take the road to Sovarette Soprano, one lane road drive slow. You take the road up through town and look for the sign on your right bear right and take that road up into the hills. (look carefully for the sign it is easy to miss)If you pass the police station you went to far. If not ask one of the locales they will direct you. It is a beautiful ride, with incredibly views, and old farms. It is safe. Alot of old locales still working the land. In Rose get out walk around the little streets and experience it all. Go to the Baro Rosie spoke about, it is still thier, you will get to see the men talk politics, what an experience!! HA HA. They also have market day I believe on Friday, which is fun. Have fun. By the way you only need two days. If you visit the town hall they may be able to help you with some info on your grandmother, ask for Rosaria Siciliano, wonderful lady who also happens to be my cousin. Good luck!

Hi DawnMarie
Just wanted to say thank you, because of your question posting I found out that that Rosie285 and I may be related. It all started when I read her reply to you about being from Rose. Since then we have been e-mailing trying to figure out our connection. We have figured out that our extended families and friends know each other. Thanks again. And diffently take the time to find out your family history when you are there.
Maria

This is a message for lovely6687, or anyone else reading this for that matter!

Myself and my mother in law are desperately trying to find some information about her father and brother, who were residents of the town of Rose (Rosa) in Cosenza. Her father's name is Giovani Boschelli (born 1911) He had a son called Roberto Boschelli (Born 1937) It would be so helpful if anyone has any information on either of these people. We do know that there are two Roberto Boschelli's living in Rende. Is this town close to Rose? We don't know whether the father is still alive but are hoping that her brother will be.
Many Thanks, Helen

Hi Helen,

Rende is not too far from Rose. No doubt We may be able to find a connection. Just about everyone in Rose is related some way or another as Maria and I found out. Through here we traced that her great grand ma and my grandfather were siblings. before this we had no idea either of us existed. They used to use a lot of family nicknames back then to identify clans, Would you happen to know what it is. I am going to Rose in June and my aunt knows just about everyone. I could surely know. My motherin law also rememebers a lot of people from her youth. It is worth a try. The more detailsand names you have the more info and more likelyhood that we can help you trace them. Good luck. Rosie

HI,
We are from Rose too. What is your grandmother's name?? There's a jewlery store right in the piazza on the right side as you go in. The owner, his name is Petrone, speaks english. Lived in the US for some years. Good luck and have fun.

Hi,
There are, I think, 4 churches in Rose.

Do you live in Italy? Where is your family from?

Hi my family is from rose . there is 2 churches but the old one is under construction....no one in the town of rose speaks english.....if you go into cosenza you can do some nice shopping there....they built a mall about 10 yrs back...very nice..enjoy your trip