Marian Path of Pollino: Trail 2

The long and exciting second trail of the Marian Path starts from the slopes of Pollino, north of the Raganello stream. Walkers follow in the footsteps of an ancient history, in a place chosen by the Oenotrians as early as the 8th century BC. The first stop is in the Timpone della Motta Archaeological Park, in the Macchiabate district (Francavilla Marittima), where a necropolis was discovered, proving that the site was inhabited as early as protohistoric times.

We are in the heart of the Sibaritide, where the appeal of history and the splendour of Magna Graecia blend with a strong and authentic spirituality linked to Christian cults and traditions. We start from the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, which stands at the foot of a cliff where the remains of an ancient castle are still visible. The basilica is of Byzantine origin, but inside you can admire its Baroque-style naves and find an intimate and profound sense of contemplation in front of the effigy of the Madonna. The tour of the town continues at the Diocesan Museum, which houses significant examples of sacred art, such as sculptures, paintings, silverware, sacred vestments and liturgical books.

You can step back in time by visiting the evocative Sant'Angelo Caves, a complex of karst caves inhabited since prehistoric times. Here you can admire spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and an environment of gypsum, sand and clay with fascinating shapes shaped by nature. The visit to Cassano all'Ionio ends at the Shrine of Santa Maria della Catena, a place of worship surrounded by nature that invites meditation and prayer.

Here we are in this village located on the slopes of Dolcedorme, discovering a place with unique characteristics where the Arbëreshë community keeps the history, language and traditions of Albanian culture alive. Walkers can enjoy a stroll through the historic centre of Frascineto with a stop at the National Museum of Byzantine Icons, a centre of excellence for learning about Byzantine liturgy. This stage of the journey is also a culinary journey: it is difficult not to be tempted by traditional dishes, washed down with excellent wines from cellars that use native grape varieties.

Walkers arrive at this point in Castrovillari, the largest town in the Pollino area and one of the largest and most populous municipalities in Calabria, offering a wealth of interesting sights. From the Aragonese Castle to the Shrine of Santa Maria del Castello, with stops at the Museum of Sacred Art and the Pollino Archaeological Museum, where you can discover the town's thousand-year history, to the Jewish Quarter.

Enjoying a breathtaking view of the Pollino peaks, trail 2 of the Marian Path of Pollino reaches its end. Morano Calabro, one of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages, is known as 'the nativity scene of Pollino' due to the appearance of its historic centre. There is so much to see, from the Norman Castle to the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena (which houses two marble sculptures by Pietro Bernini). And then there are other churches, convents, palaces, alleys and fairytale views. Art, but also nature and history: the last stop on this stage will be at the archaeological site of Sassone, located on a hill from which you can admire the panorama in all its boundless beauty.