Papasidero

A top-notch naturalistic destination for mountain lovers, Papasidero is one of the main gateways to the Pollino National Park and the Lao Valley Nature Reserve, a favourite spot for rafting and canoeing enthusiasts, who challenge the river's rapids while enjoying the landscape. Rich in prehistoric remains, this area of Pollino offers an unmissable gem: the Romito Cave. Discovered by chance in 1961 in the Papasidero area, this cave shed light on the existence of the so-called "Man of Romito", who lived in the cave and created one of the most important Palaeolithic graffiti in Europe, depicting the Bos Primigenius (an ancient ox, a symbol of good luck in hunting).

Another fascinating place is the Shrine of the Madonna di Costantinopoli, nestled in a rocky ridge and a pilgrimage site due to a miraculous 17th-century fresco. Lovers of legends and abandoned places should not miss a visit to the small ghost village of Avena, a hamlet of Papasidero that has long been abandoned and is still shrouded in mystery.