Cosenza, Italy

Capital City

With a population of just 63,760, Cosenza is a sleepy provincial capital in southern Italy's Calabria region. The old town clings to the hillsides, while the modern city sprawls across the valley below. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the town has a history of rebellion against foreign rulers from the Normans to the Spanish. And the climate is no picnic either - winters are cold, while the hot summers are stifled by the surrounding mountains. Still, Cosenza maintains a distinctive cultural identity, hosting one of Italy's oldest philosophical academies. For those seeking a slower pace of life in a historic Italian setting, Cosenza may be worth a look.