Mendicino

Mendicino and the Silk Road

Historical centres

Regione Calabria

Mendicino is located at the foot of Mount Cocuzzo, a few kilometres from Cosenza. A charming medieval town linked to the tradition of silk milling, it is not by chance called the “Village of Silk”.

The community has an ancient bond with water, which springs from uncontaminated springs and passes through mills to feed the Ancient Spinning Mill Gaudio-Museum of Silk, an expression of Calabrian textiles.

The journey of discovery of Mendicino starts from the summit of Mount Cocuzzo, from which a breathtaking view can be enjoyed through the stages of the Sentiero Italia CAI (Italian Alpine Club) trail. Descending, one encounters the Alimena Natural Caves and, continuing along the banks of the Acheronte river, reaches the beautiful River Park in the centre of the town: a true green oasis close to the historic centre. Inside the park are the aforementioned Gaudio Spinning Mill and the not-to-be-missed Dynamic Silk Museum.

The visit to the town of Mendicino continues in Piazza Municipio and Piazzetta San Giuseppe, adjacent to the Amphitheatre of the same name and the marvellous Palazzo Del Gaudio Campagna, the town's cultural centre. In Piazza del Duomo, one can admire the ancient Church of San Nicola di Bari, with its façade in Mendicino Tuff, and the Church of San Sebastiano. In the ancient Rione Castello stands the Clock Tower, one of the town's architectural symbols.