Terranova di Pollino – San Lorenzo Bellizzi

A beautiful stage with extensive forests, spectacular viewpoints, large canyons, and majestic trees. In the silence of unrivalled nature.

Terranova di Pollino. Serra Scorsillo and Timpone Salomone.

Area

Lucania

Difficulty

E – Also accessible with MBT

Distance

18,25 km

Travel time

7 hours

Start

Terranova di Pollino

Finish

San Lorenzo Bellizzi

Difference in altitude

↑ 618m ↓ 588m

Accessible

May to December

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Yes

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

Brief historical overview

Terranova di Pollino: this important residential centre, located at the head of the Sarmento river valley, is quite a young. It was founded by Federico Pignatelli, Marquis of Cerchiara di Calabria and Lord of Noia (now Noepoli) and was given the name Terranovella di Noia.The first records we have of this town dates back to 1595 and originate from a census ordered by the King of Naples which shows that the village had 25 hearths. The town is located at the base of Mount Calvario, at just over 900 metres above sea level and at the confluence of the Balsamano canal with the Sarmento river. The urban area is roughly in the shape of a belt that surrounds the mountain to the west and provides shelter from the cold air currents that come from the north. Several rows of houses run parallel to the end of the southern Apennine road no. 92, which stops in Virgallita square where the parish church “San Francesco di Paola” stands. Built in the late 1600s, the building has a portal in Bosnian pine, while inside it is possible to admire the beautiful altarpiece depicting the Madonna del Rosario, surrounded by fifteen panels with the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, and a valuable statue of St. Francis of Paola.Some other buildings of historical interest standout such as those of the Virgallita and Rusciani families who, over time, have given prestige to the community.

San Lorenzo Bellizzi. Serra Scorsillo. grazing sheep and goats.

The existence of San Lorenzo Bellizzi is closely linked with that of Cerchiara di Calabria where an enlightened prince, Fabrizio III Pignatelli, gave many concessions to his subjects, allowing the foundation of new communities, such as San Giorgio Lucano, San Giovanni – later called Terranova di Pollino, in the Principality of Noja region and, in 1648, that of San Lorenzo Bellizzi, in the Cerchiara region. The feudal system, which remained in force throughout the South until the Napoleonic reform, prohibited any migration of peasants and men to neighbouring towns, but allowed them to move within their own estates, favouring the creation of other farmhouses upon payment of very large taxes. The size of the property, the distance from the capital and the difficulties in connection thus led to the foundation of new villages which, slowly over time, broke away and became autonomous. Already in 1334 there is mention of the hamlet of Bellizia, in the archives of the church of San Pietro Apostolo di Cerchiara, and the tithe paid by the hamlet of San Lorenzo Martire. For a long time these two communities fully participated in Calabria’s many misadventures. One memorable event is linked to the revolt against the tax system of King Ferrante of Arago in 1459. Together with the peasants of the various hamlets of Cosenza, they rose to the cry of “Viva Ferrando! Mora li pagamenti!” “ Long live Ferrante, but no more payments!” Like all revolts, it started spontaneously and was poorly organised, only to be promptly and violently suppressed.
Another important moment occurs with Napoleon’s reforms: San Lorenzo Bellizzi becomes a union and obtains autonomy over jurisdiction and state property with the termination of any administrative and territorial interference from Cerchiara. In truth the community did not have any of these benefits, for years to follow and almost with regularity, there were other revolts and popular uprisings. Only the cry of the revolt changed to: “In jail or the lands!”. Considering the particular hydrogeological situation of the residential centre, the lack of a public aqueduct, and of an adequate road connecting both with Cerchiara and Terranova di Pollino, you can understand how the community had suffered hardship for a long time. Aware of these difficulties, the fascist regime tried to move the entire community, but the population refused worried about the distance they would be from the zones where their economic interests lay, such as the grazing areas. These were also years of conflict with central government due to civil disobedience that arose from prefectural decrees which forbade “the cutting and collecting of wood” in the locality of Santa Venere, injuries and arrest were recorded during these demonstrations. Today San Lorenzo Bellizzi is a pretty village consisting of small houses, one nestled against another, with narrow alleys, built in an arc along the circumference of the slopes of Serra di Paola, in front of the immense “giant, layered cliffs” of San Lorenzo, Cassano and Porace and on the right orographic bank of the Raganello stream.

San Lorenzo Bellizzi. View of the ancient village on the slopes of Serra di Paola.

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guide of reference for the stage:
Emanuele Pisarra – tel. +39 333 8732829 – mail: episarra@tiscali.it – web: www.acalandrostour.it

Where to eat

[San Lorenzo Bellizzi]

Bar-Restaurant-Pizzeria – Da Gianni – tel. +39 0981 993117, +39 338 6348 694 – mail: francesegiovanni86@gmail.com
Ristorante – Pino Loricato – tel. +39 0981 993151

Under the patronage of

Last update: 2025-05-22