Rocca Imperiale – Montegiordano

In this stage of the Cammino Basiliano it will be possible to travel along old tracks and countryside roads, also accessible via mountain bike, on horse or on a donkey: long before cars were invented, these were the roads for wayfarer, shepherds and farmers travelling from village to village, farm to farm. The main ways to reach festivals or religious events. Hikers entering deep in the nature here will experience fresh air and light, and the immensity of a clear blue sky. Among centuries-old trees, through forests and across fiumare, you might be lucky enough to get a glimpse of some of the fauna living in the region: foxes, martens, badgers, weasels, dormouse, and funny “punk” porcupines with their long quills. As you look up (perhaps with a camera for some good old birdwatching) you might get to see kestrels and buzzards, or perhaps small snipes, partridges, goldfinches, magpies and jays.

Overview of Rocca Imperiale

Area

Alto Jonio cosentino

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance​

15 km

Travel time

6- 8 hrs

Start

Rocca Imperiale – Piazza Castello

Finish

Montegiordano – Municipio

Difference in altitude

↑ 817m ↓ 385m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

No

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

Yes

Route

From here onwards every turn is a surprise. Hikers will be able to admire from different perspectives on the one side all the shades of green of the Pollino National Park, and on the other the beauty of the Golfo di Taranto – so peaceful to swoon visitors since the times of Magna Graecia. Hikers will then finally arrive in the city centre of Montegiordano.

Brief historical overview

Rocca Imperiale, once known as Petra Ceci (hidden hill), was founded by Fredrick II, who wished to build a castle on the top of this hidden hill with a twofold objective: It was to be used as a stopover (to welcome the Court during hunting trips and travels to and from Sicily) and as a strategic location to defend the kingdom’s only access (the via costiera ionica mentioned in the Tabula Peutingeriana) between the Puglie and Calabria.

An impressive building that took numerous years and funds to be completed. Its construction required the work of many men from up to twenty-seven nearby villages. The same people went on to create the first settlements of the new town. After the death of Federico II, Rocca Imperiale was handed over by Charles I of Anjou to the Cavalieri dell’ordine Gerosolimitano; following the Angevin’ domination, it passed onto the Lords at the service of Alfonso II of Naples (the Carafa and Raimondi families), that defended it against the constant pirate attacks. The epic 1664 battle is especially worth of mention: over four thousand pirates attempted to conquer the castle in vain and the village was destroyed. In 1717 the feud was handed over to the Crivelli Dukes, then to the bishop of Pujia di Tursi, who intended to turn it into a seminary. It was then bought by the Cappa family and finally donated by the last descendants to the municipality of Rocca Imperale in 1989.

Rocca Imperiale has many churches (Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, Cappella di San Giovanni, Cappella del SS Rosario, Cappella del Carmine); the Monastero dei Frati Osservanti now hosts a wax museum and the municipal library. Along Rocca Imperiale’ seven kilometres of shores, are beaches and rocks: the “Marina” is four kilometres away from the city centre and was developed around the warehouse of the Crivelli Duke (used as storage house for sea trade with nearby cities).

Rocca Imperiale – whose typical local dishes are Frizzulli with soft inside of bread, Laganelli with chickpeas, Crispi and majatiche – is also famous for its lemon cultivations, that recently received the IGP trademark: it belongs to one of the most ancient cultivar Femminiello Comune that can be attributed to the Citrus Limon species, also knows as Antico (or Nostrano) of Rocca Imperiale.

Along the trail hikers will reach the small but unique village of Canna, “land of noble and welcoming people”. Founded by a small group of citizens of Nocara, it was once feud of the Sanseverino family, counts of Lauria, and of the Loffredo family, Dukes of Nocara and Marquis of Canna. The village, of Medieval origins, is immersed in ancient olive tree groves and surrounded by the Commaroso forest. The dialect of Canna has inspired many studies and researches and its village is well worth a stroll along the alleys to see the palaces with marble gates of renaissance, baroque and neo-classical feel.

Panorama di Monastero Frati Osservantini a Rocca imperiale

Upon reaching the city centre of Montegiordano, hikers begin to enter the typical small alleys of the village. They will see historical house façades, like “Casa Meo” in Via Quasimodo, “Casa Formichella” in via Pollino and “Casa Manera” in via San Francesco di Paola with the distinctive well on the wall under the entrance staircase: like entering a Time Machine, past and present coexist one next to the other. Local artist Franco Lateana has created an impressive number of murals throughout the years using a variety of different styles. The subjects range from the spiritual to the comical, recreating true historical documents that illustrate the past of the community: A letter or an essay from the beginning of the 20th century with its unrefined Italian, portraits of famous citizens, love epigraphs, local ways of saying and funny stories. On the square visitors can admire the distinctive bell tower of the Chiesa Matrice di Sant’Antoio da Padova. As you walk along the alleys you find Viale Magna Grecia with the chapel of San Rocco example of a simple faith devoid of any embellishments, as seen in its white plaster and gabled façade. Moving uphill is Calvario, a monument of five crosses built probably in the first half of the 19th century after a mission of Redemptorists.
We recommend a taste of the typical sausage sandwich (‘a savëzizzë, sweet or spicy, preferably spicy) and the skapëcë (aubergine based), together with a nice glass of local wine.

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guide of reference for the stage: Emanuele Pisarra +39 333 8732829

[Montegiordano]

Comune Montegiordano – tel. +39 0981 932002 –  web: www.comune.montegiordano.cs.it –  mail: sindaco@comune.montegiordano.cs.it
Pro Loco Montegiordano – tel. – web: Www.montegiordanoproloco.org – mail: info@montegiordanoproloco.org

Where to eat

[Montegiordano Marina]

Ristorante – Lido Playa Del Sol – tel. +39 339 7867287

Extra: not verified

[Rocca Imperiale]

Restaurant – Palazzo Pucci- tel. +39 0981 936195
Restaurant – Braceria La Forgia Del Gusto- tel. +39 379 1100079
Restaurant – Trattoria Dei Poeti- tel. +39 320 7949693

[Stopover: Canna]

Restaurant – Pub Trono Di Spade – tel. +39 331 8755669
Restaurant – Osteria Le Logge – tel. +39 334 6978184

[Montegiordano]

Restaurant – La Volpe – tel. +39 0981 935015

[Montegiordano Marina]

Restaurant – Black &White – tel. +39 320 7767588
Restaurant – Pizzeria Lido Silene – tel. +39 338 9179320
Pizzeria Al Trullo – tel. +39 328 5362534

Last update: 2024-02-28