Convento San Francesco di Paola

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After the construction of the church and convent of Paterno, Francis had to go elsewhere to spread his order. In 1456 Francis left for Paterno to go Spezzano Grande, also in the province of Cosenza (also known as Spezzano della Sila). Paterno was sad to lose forever the man of God, even if Francis promised that all would return, and it will return several times to visit the monastery and the monks Paternesi. Spezzano Francesco greeted with joy and every one of them wanted to touch the robe and receive his blessing. All were confident because they had a protector, a saint. For Spezzano Grande, Francis has been a gift of God, saved the country from death and destruction. The project was soon spread that the convent was entitled to SS Trinity.

This is the third monastery dedicated to this saint and he was to direct the construction. Repeatedly damaged by earthquakes of the century. XVII, needs a radical makeover that necessitated a new consecration in 1712. Just when a monastic structure was at the height of his power, was suppressed by the known laws of 1809, and intended to court and prison. Unfortunately went lost a library of over two thousand volumes. At the end of World War I was transformed into a textile mill and later as a school. The arched portal fifteenth introduces inside; just crossed the threshold of the door you are faced with a splendid baroque painted storm door. The huge statues on either side of the nave depict characters of the Old Testament and John the Baptist. Two wooden statues are respectively dedicated to Our Lady of Graces (1702) and St. Michael. This saint is present in all the churches of the order because it was him to appear in San Francesco di Paola and give them the shield with the inscription Charitas. Above, some eighteenth-century paintings of anonymous, depicting scenes of the Mysteries. On the walls of four paintings by anonymous 700 (4 Annunciation and Saints, Resurrection, Crucifixion, St. Francis in Glory with Saints 4). Apse, Nativity and Flight into Egypt, both of Santanna, and an Adoration of the Magi, probably by the same author of the above. Fine choral century wooden benches. XVIII. The sacristy is struck by the magnificence of the large wooden cabinets eighteenth century. In addition, painting of the Flagellation, a print of the Crucifixion century. Eighteenth and traces of frescoes depicting the life of the titular saint. In the past there were kept four reliquary busts carved wood and gilded century. XVII. Even with high back seats come from a shop Calabrian woodcarvers century. XVII. Of some interest is the canvas painted in 1779 by Brother Bernard Celico.
According to the historian Alexis origin of the name "break" comes from the addition of staff Spetius Latin adjectival suffix-anus indicating membership. Otherwise, Rohlfs argues that Spetius is a personal name. The first settlement was founded in the ninth century by a group of refugees Cosenza, forced to leave their city as a result of the Saracen invasions. Spezzano was initially one of baglive of Cosenza and, together with other houses, was sold to the Grand Duke of Tuscany (1644). Escaped this rule only after the revolt of Celico (May 23, 1647). During the French occupation of the population sided tenaciously on the side of the Bourbons. With the administrative reorganization ordered by General Championnet in 1799, the village was elevated to the City and was incorporated in the canton of Cosenza. The law of 19 January 1807 established that break was made head of a government comprising thirteen places. By the decree of May 4, 1811 became the capital of the district. In 1927 the two municipalities of Spezzano Piccolo Spezzano Grande and were assembled into one authority, called Spezzano della Sila. In 1937 the two municipalities and autonomous returned, while that of Spezzano Piccolo kept the old name, Spezzano Grande maintained again.