Terranova da Sibari – San Demetrio Corone

The stage is a hike through the “Midlands”: from the Piana di Sibari, it goes up towards the high grounds of the Sila. A unique trail between ancient sites, long inhabited by Basilian monks, such as San Nilo da Rossano, that in 955 founded a monastery in San Demetrio.

Chiesa di Sant’Adriano

Area

Presila e Sila

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

19,92 km

Travel time

6-8 ore

Start

Terranova da Sibari – Piazza San Francesco

Finish

San Demetrio Corone – Piazza Monumento

Difference in altitude

↑ 697m ↓ 473m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

No

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

Cenni storici

Terranova da Sibari has an ancient history dating back to Magna Gaecia/Roman times, when a group of survivors, following the destruction of Thurio, sought refuge in a sheltered part of the hill with pre-existing urban settlements; they gave this small patch of land the name of “Terranova” (from “Thurium Novum” – New Thurio). After the Norman and Swabian era, Filippo Sangineto, Count of Altomonte, became Lord of the village: many palaces and building were constructed, and the village thrived under his reign and that of his heirs for many generations. The Sangineto’s rule ended in1381 when the last Sangineto, Giovanetto, left with no male issue, decided to hand the countship to his sister, Margherita. She married Venceslao Sanseverino, whose family held power in Terranova until 1546, when Pietro Antonio Sanseverino sold the village to the noble Spinelli family (who, in turn, held power until the XIX century).
Terranova can certainly be proud of its title of “Land of the two popes”, more so than any other village. According to Luigi De Blasi, it has always been a highly religious place, as attested by the numerous convents in the area and the twenty churches (considering both the “visible and the invisible ones”), such as the prestigious Church of S. Nicola, dating back to 1341, and that of S. Maria delle Grazie, known today as the Church of S. Antonio da Padova (1611), decorated with baroque art and later embellished with beautiful 18th century plasters.

Hermitage of San Nilo

San Demetrio Corone is an arbëreshë village looking onto the Piana di Sibari with a great view onto the entire Pollino Massif. Its origins are deeply connected with the presence of Italo-Greek monks (the name of the village recalls that of a Greek saint). In 955 Nilo da Rossano (Basilian monk, hermit and abbot, founder of the Abbey of Santa Maria di Grottaferrata) moved to San Demetrio and built here a monastery, the Abbey of Sant’Adriano. The word “Corone” was added in 1863, and it refers to the large migration of Greek families from Coron, Peloponnese, in 1534. It is the seat of the Italo-Albanian College, moved here in 1794 by San Benedetto Ullano.

Panoramic view

​Map and elevation profile

Further information

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

[San Demetrio Corone]

Pro Loco San Demetrio Corone – tel. +39 0984 956033 –  web: www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community/Pro-Loco-Sandemetrese-260294780722492/ – mail: centroservizigm@gmail.com
Comune San Demetrio Corone – tel. +39 0984 956003 –  web: www.comune.sandemetriocorone.cs.it/

Where to eat

[San Demetrio Corone]

Farmhouse – Trappeto Vecchio – tel. +39 0984 546309 – mail: info@trappetovecchio.it
Inn – Trattoria Paninoteca Fusion – tel. +39 334 3227455 – mob. +39 349 5333849| mail: elmorosa1978@gmail.com

Last update: 2024-09-20