The municipality of Simeri Crichi extends over more than 47 km², from the foothills of the Presila to the Ionian coast. The territory is divided into three main areas: Crichi, the administrative seat founded in the second half of the 18th century; Simeri, the medieval village and oldest center, where artifacts from the Iron Age and Magna Graecia period have been found; and finally Simeri Mare, the coastal area that welcomes many tourists every year.
Inhabited since the Neolithic, the territory was an important Byzantine fief and hosted a Capuchin convent and a bishop’s seat, today corresponding to the Collegiate Church. Simeri Crichi was the birthplace of Bartolomeo di Simeri, Greek-Calabrian monk and founder of the famous Pathirion monastery in Rossano.
Today the municipality is animated by a vibrant cultural and productive energy. It hosts an expanding industrial area, whose main facility is a biomass power plant. A strong sense of community is evidenced by the historic town band active for over forty years and the commitment of the local AVIS association, operating for more than twenty-five years. Home to numerous artists, painters, and sculptors, the town maintains a deep connection to its traditions, especially religious ones: on the third Sunday of May, the Feast of San Nicola is celebrated, followed by celebrations dedicated to San Sebastiano and the Madonna Addolorata “della Cona”, the most heartfelt by the community. During the Christmas season, the historic center comes alive with the evocative living nativity scene, recreating ancient crafts and customs.