The Revival of Cosenza Vecchia
From abandonment to belonging
Revitalizing cultural heritage strengthens community identity. In Cosenza, this renewal is transforming the city’s historic centre into a lively district for art, dialogue, and inclusion.
The historic centre of Cosenza—a labyrinth of medieval streets, aristocratic palaces, ancient churches, and fortresses—has long been admired as one of Southern Italy’s most beautiful old towns. Yet for many years, it was trapped in a narrative of decay and abandonment.
Locally known as Cosenza Vecchia (Old Cosenza), the label “old” often carried connotations of neglect, relegating the district to a forgotten past. A modest restoration effort several along Corso Telesio several years ago hinted at the area’s potential, but just beyond the main street, the contrast was stark—abandoned buildings, collapsed structures, and empty alleyways. Years of neglect left much of this extraordinary heritage in disrepair.
Recently, however, a subtle yet powerful shift has taken place. People are increasingly referring to the district not as Cosenza Vecchia, but as the Centro Storica (Historic Centre). This change in language signals a deeper transformation: a reclamation of dignity, identity, and recognition of the area’s value for future generations.
Today, new life is returning to the narrow streets. Small artisan shops, cozy pubs, boutique B&Bs, and local restaurants are gradually populating the area. These are more than signs of economic renewal—they reflect a reawakened bond between the city and its heritage, and where art and culture are playing an especially vital role.
American artist Keith Haring once said, "Art is for everybody,” suggesting that it breaks down barriers of origin, background, and difference. This idea is manifesting beautifully in in the heart of historic Cosenza, where art has become a catalyst for social cohesion. Two inspiring projects—Ellebi Dimora d’Arte and Dimora Storica Giostra Vecchia—are redefining hospitality, culture, and community life in Cosenza.
Ellebi Dimora d’Arte: When Art Meets Hospitality
In the elegant 19th century Palazzo Lupinacci, deep in Cosenza’s historic centre, sisters Marilena and Claudia Sirangelo are composing a new chapter in their family’s legacy. As third-generation art gallerists, they envisioned a more intimate, interactive way to connect people with art.
“At our family gallery, La Bussola, many people would come, admire the artworks, and then simply leave. We wanted something deeper, something that allowed for real human connection,” explains Marilena Sirangelo.
Thus, Ellebi Dimora d’Arte was born, a unique space where guests live immersed in art, sharing rooms with artists-in-residence and engaging directly in the creative process.
“Recently, Calabrian artist Giovanni Fava stayed with us, creating a stunning layered paper installation. Guests could watch him work, ask questions, and witness art come to life,” recalls Marilena.
Choosing an old, partially abandoned building in the historic centre was intentional. “If it had been anywhere else, it wouldn’t have felt authentic to us,” says Marilena. Despite the growing interest, challenges remain.
“Tourism here is still very ‘touch and go’ [because] any visitors stay just one night. We often need to work hard to keep guests long enough to truly experience the richness of our city."
Yet the impact is undeniable. Through their curated itineraries and immersive experiences, visitors leave with newfound appreciation—and enthusiasm—for Cosenza.
Ellebi Dimora d’Arte is more than a place to stay; it’s a vibrant, living project where art, hospitality, and history converge—drawing in locals and, importantly, welcoming tourists, art lovers, and the simply curious from near and far.
Dimora Storica Giostra Vecchia: Where History and Culture Embrace
Just steps away from Cosenza’s Cathedral and Teatro Rendano stands Dimora Storica Giostra Vecchia, housed in the stately 17th-century Palazzo Grisolia—a place once silent with age but now brought back to life through the vision of Rosa Lorenzon.
An advocate for cultural renewal, Lorenzon undertook the restoration as a tribute to her late father, fulfilling a promise to help restore Cosenza’s historic centre. “Dreams are realities waiting for courage,” reads a note from her father’s diary, a phrase that guided her journey as she set out to turn her father’s dream into a reality.
Today, Dimora Storica Giostra Vecchia is a dynamic cultural hub, hosting a wide range of events: book presentations, art exhibitions, wine tastings, academic talks, and more. Its elegant rooms have welcomes Judges, journalists, musicians, university professors, and artists of all kinds.
One particularly moving initiative was a fundraiser, co-organized with the Consulta Intercultura Cosenza, to help an Afghan woman to reunite with her children, and escape violence and hardship.
Alongside hosting cultural and socially impactful events, the dimora also offers luxurious hospitality. Three beautifully restored suites—with frescoed ceilings, soft linens, and delicate scents of Calabrian bergamot and cedar—provide guests with an experience that blends elegance, tradition, and grace effortlessly.
A Model for Urban and Social Renewal
Ellebi Dimora d’Arte and Dimora Storica Giostra Vecchia exemplify how private initiative, fuelled by a passion for art and place, can become a powerful force for urban and social renewal.
Through the courageous efforts of individuals like Marilena, Claudia, and Rosa, once-forgotten spaces are being transformed into places of beauty, dialogue, and shared memory. In their hands, art becomes more than decoration—it becomes a universal language, capable of bridging generations, cultures, and communities.
For Cosenza—and for many other historic cities—the challenge now is to build stronger networks around these grassroots initiatives, engaging institutions, government and corporate entities to amplify their impact.
Only through a shared vision and coordinated strategy can the extraordinary potential of Cosenza’s historic centre be fully realized, establishing it as a cultural and tourist destination of international appeal.
