Marian Path of Pollino: Trail 1

The first stop on the trail is Alessandria del Carretto, the highest municipality in the Pollino National Park, located 1,000 metres above sea level. The historic centre welcomes visitors with its stone facades and murals. Strolling through the cobbled alleys, intoxicated by the aromas of traditional cuisine, among churches and ancient buildings, you can see artisans at work and enjoy picturesque views and spectacular scenery. A visit to the Naturalistic Museum of the Wolf is a must to discover everything about this magnificent animal.

A short distance from the town centre, reaching Mount Sparviere, you can immerse yourself in the unspoilt nature of the protected area. Don't miss the acereta, unique in Italy, where you can admire six varieties of maple trees (there are only seven in Europe).

We are on the border with Basilicata. This splendid village, located between the Ionian Sea and the Pollino massif, surrounded by woods of holm oaks and centuries-old oaks, has an ancient history whose traces are scattered throughout its historic centre. Among the stone houses of Albidona, there are glimpses of breathtaking views, and a stroll through the alleys and squares includes a stop at the church of San Nicola di Bari and a visit to the Norman castle.

Overlooking the Ionian Sea, Trebisacce is a tourist resort that offers walkers intimate spots and surprising features. Its seafront is famous, but the village, one of the most beautiful in Italy, has numerous churches and buildings of historical and architectural interest. A short distance from the centre, on a hill, is the Broglio Archaeological Park, a protohistoric village inhabited for about a thousand years by the Enotri people. On foot or by bicycle, you can explore the Gardens of Trebisacce, which offer paths and itineraries surrounded by greenery. The scent of citrus groves is a constant in this area, as Trebisacce boasts the production of Biondo Tardivo, one of the best varieties of oranges.

The stop in this small town in the Upper Ionian area of Cosenza, Villapiana, includes a break on its famous seafront promenade, overlooking a sea so clean that it has been awarded the Blue Flag, followed by a tour of the historic centre, but not before admiring the Capo Saraceno Tower. Among the streets, squares and panoramic views, there are noble palaces, churches and a convent to visit, along with the remains of the ancient tuff stone castle.

Once they arrive in this village of Albanian origin overlooking the Pollino mountains, walkers will come into contact with the Arbëreshë culture, to which the murals along the streets of the historic centre are dedicated. Nature, history, traditions, folklore: Plataci is a particularly rich stop. The ancient Church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli is worth a visit.

San Lorenzo Bellizzi is a destination that will delight those who love nature excursions thanks to its extraordinary mountain scenery, as it is located in the heart of the Pollino National Park. It overlooks the Raganello Gorges (a natural canyon carved out by the stream) and, not far from the town centre – a small and charming village – you can visit an archaeological site with finds dating back to the Neolithic period.

In Cerchiara di Calabria, walkers are welcomed by the aroma of bread with its characteristic shape and unique flavour. This municipality has a rich historical and artistic heritage: the Shrine of the Madonna delle Armi set in the rock, the Museum of Sacred Art, the Castle, the imposing Palazzo della Piana, and the Cessuta Archaeological and Speleological Park.

Located in the southern hills of the Upper Ionian coast of Cosenza, Francavilla Marittima is well worth a visit to enjoy spectacular views and visit the Timpone della Motta Archaeological Park, the Church of Madonna degli Infermi, the Church of Madonna del Monte Carmelo, the Chapel of Sant'Emidio and the Church of the Annunciation.

The last stop on the Marian Path of Pollino is in one of Italy's most beautiful villages, Civita, located between the Raganello Gorges and the Pollino massif. This Arbëreshë village has a historic centre that is a tourist destination, especially for the Kodra Houses (which seem to have a human face due to the characteristic position of the windows and doors) and the apotropaic chimneys of ancient tradition, but also for the Arbëreshë Ethnic Museum and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.