Cleto, the village of the two castles perched high above the Calabrian landscape

Perched on the slopes of Monte Sant’Angelo and overlooking the Savuto Valley as far as the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Calabrian village of Cleto preserves traces of Norman rule, evident in the castle that towers over the village. From 19 to 21 August, this ancient town, historically known as Pietramala, becomes the venue for the Cleto Festival, a cultural event featuring folk and indie music concerts, theatre performances and creative workshops. Strolling through the stone-paved alleyways, you can admire the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Church of the Consolazione with its distinctive Byzantine-style majolica-tiled bell tower. The event also offers the chance to rediscover local crafts and sample the region’s cuisine, starting with extra virgin olive oil drizzled over the traditional ‘ciarletta’ (a traditional bread of peasant culture also known as ‘pane conzato’), in a setting where holidays follow a slow, traditional pace.