Rende is a city and comune in the province of Cosenza, Calabria, southern Italy, home to the headquarters of the University of Calabria. It has a population of about 35,000, or more than 60,000 if the university students living there are taken into account. It is divided in two parts: the old town, which is stands on a high hill, and the modern area, on level ground, which is connected to the city ofCosenza and with it is the centre of the economy of the province of Cosenza.
Geography
Rende stretches from the left river of the Crati to the mountains called "Serre Cosentine".
The municipality counts the hamlets of Arcavacata, Commenda, Quattromiglia, Roges, Santo Stefano, Saporito and Surdo. The territory presents mountain areas from west that degrade slowly eastward forming hills, one of which is the historic centre, until the valley of the Crati. Thanks to large flat areas, it is covered by the modern city. The most important rivers crossing Rende are Crati, Campagnano, Surdo and Emoli.
History
The Oenotrians founded here a town named Acheruntia and, later, Pandosia. However, several inhabitants later moved to a more defendable area, corrsponding to the modern frazione of Nogiano, founding the new settlement of Aruntia, later, Arintha. This is mentioned by the ancient Greek historianHecataeus of Miletus as a Bruttian town of Oenotrian origins. During Roman times, the town followed the history of the nearby Cosentia. After a long resistance, it was sacked by Totila's troopes in 547, during the Gothic Wars. In the 8th-10th centuries, it was sometimes attacked by Saracen troops, until part of the population moved in what is now the territory of Castiglione Cosentino. Later it was controlled by the Normans and subsequently other southern Italian dynasties.
The economy of Rende is mostly based on the University of Calabria. In comparison to the rest of southern Italy, Rende has quite a strong economy and is therefore in full expansion. While full industrialization has not yet been very successful, in recent times, major companies have established offices in Rende. Among these are the Japanese Digital and Data Innovation company NTT Data, which has a Research and Development office in Rende; and JRS Silvateam Food Ingredients. Although Rende has an adequate industrial area, a lot of its area still needs to be developed.
Sports
Rende is home to the football teamRende Calcio, which competes in the official semi-professional tournament
