Saracena
Saracena
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|---|---|
| Comune di Saracena | |
View of Saracena from Lungro | |
Location of Saracena | |
| Coordinates: 39°46′N 16°9′E / 39.767°N 16.150°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Calabria |
| Province | Cosenza (CS) |
| Frazioni | Zoccalia |
| Area | |
• Total | 111.51 km2 (43.05 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 606 m (1,988 ft) |
| Population (2018-01-01) | |
• Total | 4,082 |
| • Density | 37/km2 (95/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Saracenari |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 87010 |
| Dialing code | 0981 |
| Patron saint | Saint Leo of Catania |
| Saint day | 19 February |
| Website | Official website |
Saracena (Greek: Sarakine) is a town and comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. The town is bordered by Altomonte, Castrovillari, Firmo, Lungro, Morano Calabro, Mormanno, Orsomarso and San Basile and is home to the Church of San Leone, a 12th-century Byzantine church. The town's patron is San Leone di Catania, who is celebrated twice a year, once in the spring, then again in late summer.
Like Palermo and Tropea, Saracena was renowned for its souk (or street market) during the period of Arab Sicily from the ninth century until the Norman era. Arab-Sicilian influence remained strong until the 13th century.