Il Curtigliu represents the ancient heart of Carpanzano, a village located in the Cosenza hinterland. This residential complex, developed over the centuries, is an emblematic example of spontaneous Calabrian architecture, where functionality and adaptation to the territory have shaped the forms of buildings and common spaces.

Urban Structure:

• Il Curtigliu is characterized by an intricate labyrinth of narrow alleys, "viuzze" in the local dialect, which wind through the dwellings.
• The internal courtyards, from which the name "Curtigliu" (courtyard in dialect) derives, represented the heart of community life, places of meeting and work.
• The houses, built of local stone, lean against each other, creating a compact and organic building fabric.

Constructive Elements:

• The use of local stone is predominant, both for the walls and for the decorative elements.
• The roofs are made with terracotta tiles, typical of Mediterranean architecture.
• The facades, often simple and devoid of ornaments, preserve traces of time and the transformations undergone over the centuries.

Historical and Cultural Significance:

• Il Curtigliu bears witness to the ancient origins of the village of Carpanzano, whose roots probably date back to the medieval era.
• This residential complex reflects the lifestyle of the rural Calabrian communities of the past, based on agriculture and self-sufficiency.
• Il Curtigliu is a place of memory, where local traditions and knowledge are preserved, passed down from generation to generation.
• An important piece of information is that the curtigliu develops around the noble palace of the Mantovani family.