The Liceo Classico ‘B. Telesio’ serves a very wide area extending from the urban districts to the inland region. Since 1861, when the school was founded, and under the Bourbons when it was called Royal College, it has impressed the historical memory of the inhabitants of Cosenza, and it has always been a cultural reference point for every social sector.

Its adaptability and modernization has allowed the school to respond to the greater educational demand by developing science and maths teaching and improving foreign language learning.

Besides traditional courses, new experimental ones have been established in order to distinguish the educational offer related to the students’ needs. At present there are 6 traditional courses, a maxi-experimental one (Liceo Europeo) with a total amount of 912 students.

The ‘Bernardino Telesio’ Liceo Classico is certainly one of the most prestigious institutions of our town; it is located in the historical centre together with Cosenza’s Accademy, the Rendano theatre and the municipal Library .

The old building is still placed on the ancient foundations of the college and of St. Ignazio’s Church, built at the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century by the Jesuit Fathers with the purpose of establishing a centre for High Studies (Studia Superiora), one of the most important institutions of the whole province focusing on humanities.

When the Jesuits were expelled during Murat’s era it became the seat of the royal College that was attended by the best youth of Calabrian aristocracy and bourgeoisie.

The construction of its majestic pronao and impressing columns dates back to the age of the Restoration and they have become the symbol of the town’s cultural life. The pronao is what remains of the Theatre of Ferdinand, built in 1831 and demolished later in 1850, with the return of the Jesuits. After the Unity of Italy, the college was turned into the Liceo Ginnasio and counted many outstanding intellectuals in its teaching staff such as Vincenzo Padula and Saverio Albo.