Montegiordano – Oriolo

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.

Oriolo: scenery along the trail

Area

Alto Jonio cosentino

Difficulty

T – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

15,8 km

Travel Time

6 – 7 hrs

Start

Montegiordano – Municipio

Finish

Oriolo – Municipio

Difference in altitude

↑ 391 ↓ 435

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Yes

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

Yes

Route

Starting from Montegiordano towards Oriolo: breathtaking sceneries between the sea to the East and the mountains to the West, a natural embrace that will fill with your eyes with marvel. The itinerary moves uphill across pine groves, the majestic and distinctive cersë (“oak tree”), until the mountain peak where you will find the signage of the crossroads Oriolo/Nocara: the famous juncture also known as “loose hat”, famous for being very windy, so much so that many unknown tourists have lost their hats to a gust of wind… The route then begins its descent towards Oriolo: from up above it is possible to admire the particular shape of the village, resembling a scorpio when all the lights are lit at night. Once you have passed the narrow old bridge you have officially entered the village, with the majestic castle-fortress of Norman era awaiting, staring at you from above.

Brief historical overview

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.

Panorama con Oriolo

Oriolo was initially founded as a defensive fortress against the incessant Saracens’ raids along the Ionic coastlines. The ancient village, perched on a big spur of sandstone, is protected by a natural gorge with a small stream running through it, tributary of the Fiumara di Oriolo. Up on the top is the Chiesa Madre di San Giorgio Martire, with the Norman Castle behind it. Local historian Gabriele Barrio, in “Antichità e luoghi della Calabria”, describes the village: “Thus is the small village of Riolo, on a rock, up high; surrounded by mountains…it produces a famous wine and even cotton”. Oriolo was enriched with many churches and convents in the centuries throughout the evolution of the main urban settlement. The convent of the Minori Francescani was built, nursing seven provincial friars, among which Padre Bonaventura, who died in odour of sanctity. The convent has been for a long time the resting place of the relics of San Francesco da Paola, that father Dionigi Colomba brought back from France as a gift from Queen Catherine de’ Medici. The Pignone del Carretto family played another important role in the history of Oriolo: they were great, well-learned Lords, responsible for the foundation of new villages in the nearby areas and the preservation of Oriolo. Thus the origin of Alessandria del Carretto (in the mountains) and other small villages around the coastlines.

Map and elevation profile

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

[Oriolo]

Comune Oriolo – tel. +39 0981 930871 – web: www.comune.oriolo.cs.it – mail: info@comune.oriolo.cs.it 
Altre Informazioni Oriolo – Borghi più belli d’Italia – tel. +39 0981 930871 – web: www.oriolo.eu/  
Pro Loco Oriolo – tel. +39 388 9280077 – web: www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Pro-Loco-Di-Oriolo-1202057023154472/

Where to eat

Extra: not verified

[Oriolo]

Farmhouse – Antico Casale – tel. +39 349 3723198
Farmhouse – Cervinace – tel. +39 0981 930053 – tel. +39 347 9137756 n.b.: about 5 Km away from the village