Itinerary through the villages of the Sila

Starting from the province of Cosenza, one of the most beautiful villages in the Sila area, rich in works of art, is undoubtedly Corigliano-Rossano, created from the merger of the municipalities of Corigliano Calabro and Rossano. The historic centre of Corigliano Calabro boasts the marvellous Ducal Castle, one of the best-preserved castles in Calabria, built in 1073 at the behest of Robert Guiscard, and the Mother Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Moving on to Rossano, we find two masterpieces of Byzantine art: the Abbey of Santa Maria del Patire (or Pathirion), founded in 1095 by Bartolomeo di Simeri, and the ancient gospel book known as Codex Purpureus Rossanensis (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), on display at the Diocesan Museum of the same name. Lovers of local specialities cannot miss a visit to the Amarelli Liquorice Factory and Museum in Rossano, for a taste of the prized Liquorice of Calabria PDO, and the farms of the Sibaritide area dedicated to the production of the sweet Clementines of Calabria PDO.

Still in the province of Cosenza, the second stop on our itinerary through the villages of the Sila is Acri. At the top of the village stand the remains of the Castle of Acri (or Rocca dei Bruzii), which bear witness to the vastness of a defensive structure now reduced to the Civic Tower (Pàdia Tower), the symbol of the village. Acri is famous for being the birthplace of Blessed Angelo d'Acri, after whom the Basilica is named, one of the most important places in the historic centre, with a 32-metre-high dome and two bell towers, as well as the museum. Other places to admire in the Sila village are: the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Church and Convent of San Francesco di Paola, the Church of the Madonna del Rinfresco, the imposing Palazzo dei Principi Sanseverino-Falcone (17th century), now home to the MACA - Museum of Contemporary Art of Acri, Palazzo Feraudo, which houses the Museum of Rural Life and the Municipal Library named after Vincenzo Padula, a poet and religious figure from Acri to whom the literary prize of the same name is dedicated.

Among the Sila villages in the province of Cosenza, Longobucco is famous for its traditional production of carpets and blankets and for silver mining. Longobucco's renowned textile art offers a rich repertoire of ancient and contemporary designs: those who wish to learn more can visit the Permanent Exhibition of Handcrafted Fabrics in the historic centre, or one of the most important family businesses still in operation. The symbol of the historic centre is the Civic Tower (11th century), next to the Mother Church of the Assumption. The portals, on the other hand, bear witness to the local stonework: examples include Palazzo Citino, with its traditional masks, and the residences overlooking Piazza Matteotti. Longobucco is one of the favourite destinations for those who wish to discover the trails of the Sila National Park and visit the unmissable Museum of Sila Crafts and Soil Protection, in the former Franciscan Monastery. The museum is an outpost for spreading knowledge about the villages of the Sila, in particular about silver mining and goldsmithing: the Mining Trail starts from the village, along which you can admire the ancient silver mines.

Let's leave the province of Cosenza and move on to the villages of the Sila in the province of Crotone, starting with Savelli, a small natural paradise. Savelli is home to the important Astrosavelli - Lilio Astronomical Park, dedicated to the great 16th-century Calabrian astronomer Luigi Lilio. Located in the heart of the Sila Greca, Savelli is not far from the tourist resort of Villaggio Pino Grande, one of the most popular mountain destinations and part of the "Palumbosila" ski area. Among the villages of the Sila, Savelli is a slow destination: among its narrow streets and stone houses, some of which are painted with murals that tell its history, you can breathe in an authentic atmosphere in all seasons. Evidence of the ancient crafts of the Sila can be found in the historic Mezzocampo Sawmill, in the village of the same name.

The fifth stage of the itinerary through the villages of the Sila takes us back for a moment to the province of Cosenza, in the municipality of San Giovanni in Fiore. One of the most important places of worship in Calabria, the village is famous for the Florense Abbey, founded by Abbot Joachim of Fiore, one of the greatest theologians and philosophers of the Western Middle Ages. The abbey is home to the Gioachimita Study Centre and destination of the Gioachimita Trail: a 5-stage itinerary following in the footsteps of the monk. The historic centre preserves a large number of churches and noble palaces from the 18th century, such as Palazzo Lopez (home to the Municipal Library), Palazzo Barberio and Palazzo De Marco, and monuments including the so-called Norman Arch, symbol of the village. The most important churches are the Convent of the Capuchin Friars, the Monastery of the Three Children and the Church of St. Francis of Paola, as well as the 16th-century Mother Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. From a naturalistic point of view, San Giovanni in Fiore boasts three Sila lakes (Arvo, Ampollino and Redisole) and the splendid ski resort of Lorica, where all winter sports can be practised.

At the foot of Mount Gariglione, in the Sila Piccola, Petilia Policastro takes us back to the province of Crotone. Among the villages of the Sila, Petilia Policastro is famous for the presence of an important shrine: the Shrine of the Santa Spina, named after the relic it houses, one of the most popular places of worship in Calabria and a destination for heartfelt pilgrimages. The historic centre is famous for its colourful murals, the work of artist Giuseppe Caruso. Places to visit include the Mother Church, the Church of St. Francis, the Annunziata (17th century), the Oratory and the Stations of the Cross along the Path of the Holy Thorn. The territory of Petilia Policastro is crossed by several karst caves, some of which reach a depth of 100 metres and are surrounded by underground waterways and lakes, as well as those linked to the Basilian presence, such as the Caves of San Demetrio.

Among the villages of the Catanzaro side of Sila, Zagarise is one of the municipalities that belong to the national association "City of Oil", promoting and enhancing its prized extra virgin olive oil and olive-growing landscape. To learn all the secrets of Sila oil, in addition to the numerous oil mills operating in the area, we recommend a visit to the Museum of Olive Oil and Rural Life. In the historic centre, you can admire the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the "Silvestro Frangipane" Museum of Sacred Art and the so-called "Borgo Antico", the oldest part of Zagarise (dating back to 1200). Zagarise offers numerous trekking routes in the heart of the Sila Piccola: in particular, those that reach the famous Timpe Rosse Canyon, a route through sandstone rocks in the Uria River; the Campanaro Waterfalls and Mount Gariglione, with equipped picnic areas.

Taverna is a little gem among the villages of the Sila (SiIa Piccola). The village is a City of Art, as it is the birthplace of the great Caravaggio-style painter Mattia Preti, one of the leading exponents of 17th-century Italian art, who left important works here. To admire them, simply visit the Church of San Domenico, which houses 11 of them: from the famous self-portrait to the precious cycle of frescoes depicting the Stories from the Life of St. Dominic. Attached to the church, the Civic Museum, in the former Dominican Convent (15th century), is one of the most important art galleries in Calabria, with works by 17th and 18th-century masters ranging from the brothers Gregorio and Mattia Preti to Giovan Battista Spinelli, Antonio Samelli and Di Mattia. In Taverna, the combination of art and nature can be enjoyed with a trip to the shores of Lake Ampollino and a visit to the Tyrolean-style mountain tourist villages of Villaggio Mancuso and Villaggio Racise, as well as the "Monaco-Garcea" Visitor Centre and the "Forests and Man" Thematic Museum.

Our itinerary through the villages of the Sila completes its circular route on the western side of the province of Cosenza, discovering Spezzano della Sila, an ideal destination for all seasons. In winter, it offers the ski slopes of the Camigliatello Silano ski area; in summer and spring, the beauty of the trails around Lake Cecita; in autumn, the typical flavours of the mountains, such as the Sila Potato PGI and Caciocavallo Silano DPO cheese. The pride of Spezzano della Sila is the Shrine of San Francesco di Paola, a pilgrimage destination along the Way of St. Francis. Those who wish to discover the secrets of the Sila mountains can visit the Cupone Visitor Centre, which includes an educational area for adults and children, a museum, a geological garden and a botanical garden accessible to disabled and blind visitors. From the Centre, you can access the naturalistic area of the famous "Giants of Sila", the monumental and centuries-old trees that make up the nature reserve of the same name.

The itinerary to discover the villages of the Sila ends in the municipality of Casali del Manco, in the province of Cosenza. Casali was created from the merger of the small towns of Pedace, Serra Pedace, Spezzano Piccolo, Trenta and Casole Bruzio, located around the slopes of Mount Stella and Mount Botte Donato. The term "casali" refers to the ancient communities which, around the year 1000, represented the first form of administrative organisation. A tour of the historic centres allows you to admire the Mother Church of SS. Pietro e Paolo, the Church of S. Maria di Monte Oliveto, the Church of the Addolorata and the Convent of San Francesco di Paola in the territory of Pedace; the Church of San Donato Vescovo e Martire, the Presila Ecological Museum and the Silvana Mansio railway station, from which the historic Sila Train departs, in the territory of Serra Pedace. These Sila villages are a perfect autumn destination, to be visited during the Chestnut Festival.