SWABIAN COSENZA
GIOACCHINO IN THE THRONE ROOM, BEGGING THE EMPRESS
Location: Via S. Francesco D'Assisi, 14
Gioacchino pleads with the Swabian empress Constance to ease the burden of taxation that had been imposed on the city of Cosenza
The new Swabian dynasty was feared for its excessive taxation of its subjects. The Cosenzans sent the monk Gioacchino (Joachim) da fiore to Palermo to plead with Empress Constance that Cosenza should not oppressed by taxes. (In this regard, there is a story. It seems that, after hearing Joachim's cry, the Empress asked him to confess to her; and the Joachim responded: "As long as I begged you for land issues I knelt in front of you, but now you ask me things about God so you have to kneel in front of me).
Joachim (d.1202) belonged to the Cistercian order, introduced into Calabria by the Normans. He was the founder of the Florentine order (approved by Pope in 1196), associated with the religious centre of San Giovanni in Fiore. All his doctrines were aimed at bringing about real spiritual renewal. Dante called him "gifted with the spirit of prophecy".
FEDERICO II, SURROUNDED BY ALL THE DIGNITARIES, GIVES THE TAUROTECA
Location: Via S. Francesco D'Assisi, 20
Federick II, who had rebuilt the cathedral, consecrated it with a stauroteca, a reliquary cross. Frederick II was one of the most powerful Holy Roman Emperors of the Middle Ages, and head of the House of Hohenstaufen. He was involved in major investments in Cosenza, rebuilding the Cathedral, and strengthening the castle, originally built by the Normans on a pre-existing Arab fortress.
On 30th January 1222, Frederick II inaugurated the Cathedral, and donated a valuable stauroteca, a gold reliquary cross. The Emperor took part in the Consecration Mass, officiated by Cardinal Nicola Chiaramonte, assisted by Bishop Luca Campano, archbishop of Cosenza, and several other prelates of Calabria.
Cosenza's Cathedral received and still holds the remains of Henry VII, the Emperor's eldest son. Throughout the Swabian period, Cosenza was the capital of the executioners of the Crati Valley and Jordan Land.
FEDERICO II AND THE BAPTISM OF COSENZA'S BANNER
Location: Via S. Francesco D'Assisi, 14
For the emblem on its banner, the City chose the seven hills surrounding Cosenza, which guarded its independence.
FEDERICO II ESTABLISHING THE MADDALENA FAIR
Location: Via S. Francesco D'Assisi 5
The emperor and his wife inspect fabrics at the new textile market.
Frederick II of Swabia, dubbed stupor mundi- "wonder of the world"- considered Cosenza his favourite place after Palermo and Naples; and under his rule Cosenza prospered both culturally and economically.
One of the reasons was the institution, in 1234, of an important annual fair: the Fair of the Magdalene, one of seven fairs in the kingdom. The fair was an international market for textiles that took place in July along the Busento river, but was actually run by Genoese businessmen. At this time, the textile markets in Crotone and Reggio- the major centres for the export of textiles and Calabrian silks to Spain, Venice and Flanders - were run by Genoese and Florentine families.
FREDERIK II PROMULGATED THE CONSTITUTIONS OF MELFI
Location: Via S. Francesco D'Assisi (di fronte Archi Vaccaro)
Frederick II in the presence of his courtiers.
With the Constitutions of Melfi (1231), the State began to take on a modern form. Under the absolute power of the sovereign there was the Privy Council (which we now call the government), consisting of seven Officers, each of which was at the top of a vertical State structure (now called the Ministry). The officials (bureaucrats) at all levels were paid, and depended directly upon the crown.
The army was also reorganized. Instead of the traditional feudal army, a permanent professional army was established and stationed at strategic points. All the fortresses (castles) of the nobles of the kingdom were removed.