Ancient and renowned is, for example, the art of weaving chestnut or willow wicker, creating beautiful baskets of all shapes and sizes. Also rich and interesting is the goldsmith tradition, especially regarding filigree jewelry and ornaments, which are strongly influenced by Byzantine style. Or the woodworking tradition, with fine artifacts made by skilled craftsmen.
But the highlight of Sila’s productions are the rugs and textile garments, rooted in several small villages, foremost among them San Giovanni in Fiore, where even today women use rudimentary and fascinating hand looms to create wonderful, high-quality pieces.
Among these are the so-called ozaturi, heavy quilts for the cold season, as well as carpets and incredible tapestries. Every year, in July, under the shade of the magnificent Abbazia Forense, the ancient village hosts the Exhibition of Traditional Fabrics, allowing visitors to discover an art practiced in small workshops or even at home, which, besides fabrics and rugs, also produces elaborate embroidery such as the turnisti, used to decorate linen textiles.
