Melissa
Melissa is a small town situated in Calabria (a region of southern Italy ). It grows on a rocky ridge in the hilly area between the Ionian sea and the eastern side of the Sila Grande. Melissa is a municipality part of the Crotone provinces, it has about 3000 inhabitants. The area includes two main settlements, the Capital Melissa located in the hill and Torre Melissa located on the coast.The main activities that still characterize life and area in Melissa are linked to work of the land, the cultivation of olive oil, fruit trees or vegetables and honey and above all the production of DOC wines Cirò and Melissa DOC red and white by respecting the old tradition ,in fact Melissa is a land of wine since the time of the Greeks.The rural environment and rural setting interact with the sea through the village of Torre Melissa so called because of the presence of the Aragonese tower now centre of the Rural Culture Museum and where there is the research centre of the typical cuisine of Calabria.In summertime Torre Melissa is populated by tourists, thanks to its beaches and a receptivity offered by some hotels and it is on the coast place that business and craftsmanship develop.
We decided to participate to this project first of all because we want to protect the territory of Melissa touched, as many countries are, by problems such as depopulation (linked in particular way to the historical center ), loss of competitiveness of local economy, aging population. The intent perfectly fits within the redevelopment project of the site, led by the wish to keep an ancient centre “alive” nowadays could be seen as a sign of gratitude in memory of many melissesi who fought for freedom and the progress.
Many objectives are on plan: to secure the old town by recovering more than 250 abandoned hauses. to consolidate the presence of cultural activities and social and economic issues in the center .
The intention is to open the area to tourism ; recover, redevelop, reuse and specialize the use of the built heritage, architectural and urban development for tourism accommodation, by introducing new services and activities for residents and tourists.
Many objectives are on plan: to secure the old town by recovering more than 250 abandoned hauses. to consolidate the presence of cultural activities and social and economic issues in the center .
The intention is to open the area to tourism ; recover, redevelop, reuse and specialize the use of the built heritage, architectural and urban development for tourism accommodation, by introducing new services and activities for residents and tourists.
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