Laino Borgo

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Laino Borgo is a small town in southern Italy, in the Calabria region near the border with Basilicata. It’s in the province of Cosenza and sits about 271 meters above sea level. The town covers around 57 square kilometers and has about 1,879 residents (as of 2017). People from Laino Borgo are called Lainesi.

The name comes from the Lao river. It has ties to the ancient Greek city Laüs, and for a time the town was also known as Laino Bruzio when it was joined with Laino Castello. Recent digs in San Primo, a district of Laino Borgo, uncovered remains dating to around 500 BCE that may be linked to Laüs. It’s thought the original city moved downstream after an earthquake.

Laino Borgo lies at the entrance to Pollino National Park, Italy’s largest national park, which is important for geology and biodiversity. The area was recognized as a UNESCO Geopark in 2015.

The town hosts notable annual events. On Good Friday, the Passion of Christ is re-enacted in a daylong procession called La Giudaica, featuring more than 100 locals in period costumes. The first known performance was in 1832, and it usually occurs every other year. On the third Sunday of September, the Madonna of the Chapels festival is celebrated with a procession and flower and candle displays; its origins go back to the 1700s.

Laino Borgo sits along the Lao River, above a series of gorges and rapids. It has become the main center for canoeing and river rafting in Southern Italy, hosting whitewater events since the 1990s and helping the local economy.