Bova or Chora tu Vùa in Greek Calabria is not only considered the capital of Greek Calabria or one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, but rather one of the most precious treasures of which historical evidence is preserved. Despite the passage of time, its charm remains intact. Its origins are linked to one legendary Greek queen, Oichista, who left the imprint of his foot on the highest point of the rock overlooking the village. Among the wonders of Bova, on the top of Monte Rotondo in a hegemonic position over the valley below we find the ruins of the Norman Castle dating back to the 11th century.
«It was the key point of the defensive system, an important reality that controlled the entire Grecanica area, both the coastal and internal routes» he states Riccardo Consolispecialized in the field of Calabrian archaeology.
Although the first historically documented evidence of the existence of Bova dates back to the early years of the second millennium, when between 1040 and 1064 the Normans imposed themselves on the Arabs and Byzantines in the domination of Sicily and Calabria, numerous archaeological finds found near the castle dating back to the Neolithic period, testify to the ancient origins of Bova. Shards of obsidian were found, attesting to the primitive trade that the inhabitants of the Aeolian islands had with neighboring peoples starting from the 4th millennium BC. Therefore the castle rocks certainly hosted a human settlement of prehistoric times. The numerous vascular fragments, with meander designs, in black glossy mixture, are certainly of Greek manufacture, from the first period of colonization, they prove the ancient existence of homes in the castle area and document the various human settlements over the centuries.
As can be seen, there are few remaining traces of the imposing structure of the castle. It is hypothesized that it was strengthened by the Aragonese in 1494 and it can be stated that the castle was designed and built on various elevation levels whose foundations rested directly on the rock. It has been hypothesized that it was spread over three levels, on the lower floor a hall which was accessed via a “corridor”; on the upper floor there are two rooms and even higher up a small chapel covered with a barrel vault and frescoes. Furthermore the castle was surrounded by the city walls, of which the Parcopia Tower, which still exists today, was part of. There are hidden many legends, stories but above all discoveries and ongoing studies.
