Catanzaro, Italy

Capital City

With a population of just 84,670, Catanzaro is a sleepy provincial capital that lacks the vibrancy of Italy's major cities. The silk industry that once made it famous has long since faded, leaving behind a regional bureaucracy and a climate marked by persistent windy conditions. While the coastal areas offer some summer appeal, the inland city itself has little to entice those seeking an authentic Italian experience. Catanzaro is best suited for those content with a slow-paced, low-key lifestyle in a quiet corner of southern Italy.