Arena, Calabria

Arena is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Vibo Valentia in the Italian region Calabria, located about 50 km southwest of Catanzaro and about 15 km southeast of Vibo Valentia. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,678 and an area of 32.4 km2.

Arena borders the following municipalities: Acquaro, Dasà, Fabrizia, Gerocarne, Mongiana, Serra San Bruno.

History
Arena existed during the Roman Era, however the town was known as ‘Castrum Arenese’ instead.

It was conquered by the Normans during the 11th century and assigned to Ruggero Conclubeth (son of Ruggero II) sometime in the 1100s. During this time, it assumed political importance in the mountains shown by the Norman Castle imposing upon the town, still to this day, and still visitable.

After much time governing the town, the Conclubeth family passed Arena through marriage to the Acquaviva of Aragona family in 1678. This reign was followed by the Dukes of Atri, who after a war broke out with Austria, sold Arena to the Caracciolo family during the 18th century.

Arena soon had unfair politics towards the population which caused terrible debts to the town with the state treasury.

Interesting enough, Arena soon became a center for silk production in the region.

During the 19th and 20th centuries the population steadily rose, eventually hitting its peak during the 1950s, then declining due to post-war immigration out of Europe to countries such as the United States, Australia and Argentina, with the population declining ever since due to various reasons.