Explore the preserved industrial remains of Roman pottery production at this evocative archaeological site near the Ionian coast.
La Fornace preserves the brick-and-tile kilns of a Roman workshop that once supplied building materials and amphorae across Magna Graecia. Set on a low rise above the Sibari plain, the site reveals the scale of ancient manufacturing through intact firing chambers, clay-settling basins, and waster heaps still littered with malformed tiles.
Two large circular kilns dominate the excavated area; their domed roofs have collapsed but the stoke holes and flue channels remain clearly visible. A smaller rectangular kiln nearby shows evidence of multiple rebuilds. Informative panels trace the production sequence from clay extraction in the nearby riverbeds to the finished goods shipped from the port at Sybaris.
Active from the late first century BC through the fourth century AD, the workshop supported the agricultural estates that flourished after Rome’s colonization of the region. The kilns’ strategic location near both clay sources and transport routes made it a vital node in the regional economy. Abandonment came gradually as shifting river courses and declining demand for large-scale construction altered local priorities.
The site lies a short drive inland from the modern towns of Corigliano-Rossano and Rossano Scalo. Most visitors arrive by car via the SS106 coastal road, turning inland at the Sibari exit; a signed rural lane leads to a small parking area. Regional trains stop at Rossano, from which a local bus or taxi covers the final stretch in about twenty minutes.
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer mild temperatures ideal for walking the unshaded paths. Combine the visit with the vast Parco Archeologico di Sibari to the south or the hilltop Byzantine churches of Rossano to the north. The nearby Ionian beaches provide a refreshing contrast after exploring the dusty industrial remains.
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The main paths are mostly flat but consist of packed earth and gravel with occasional steps; wheelchairs may struggle in wet weather.
Occasional guided visits are organized by the regional archaeological superintendency; check locally in Rossano for current schedules.
Yes; the two sites are less than twenty minutes apart by car and together illustrate both urban and industrial aspects of Roman Calabria.
Personal photography is allowed; tripods and commercial shoots require prior permission from the managing authority.
No facilities exist on site; the nearest services are in the village of Sibari or back in Rossano Scalo.
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Step back into prehistory at this quiet archaeological site on Calabria’s Ionian coast.
