Acri – Corigliano-Rossano

Along this stage of the Cammino Basiliano hikers will be able to admire the evocative scenery of the Piana di Sibari, where the Ionian Sea, the harbour of Schiavonea and the Pollino mountains surround the Castello Ducale di Corigliano Calabro.

Hills of Acri

Area

Sila Greca

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

29,7 km

Travel time

8 – 11 hrs

Start

Acri – Basilica del Beato Angelo

Finish

Corigliano Calabro – Santuario S.Francesco di Paola

Difference in altitude

↑ 692m ↓ 1198m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Zio Biagio’s fountain

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

Santa Maria La Fiumara

Route

Cenni storici

The city of Acri extends over three hills. The old village is Padìa, with the civic tower, also known as “stronghold of the Bruttians”, and the main church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The quarter of the Picitti (Greek quarter) and Odivella reach up to the castle, a defensive fortress guarding the deep valley of the rivers Mucone and Calamo, main tributaries of the Crati. Most of Acri’s territory is part of the Sila Greca. The rest of it shrinks towards the crags of the Presila and along the valley of the Mucone and Calamo.
No sign of the ancient Bruttians’ settlements came to light despite all the transformations that took place over the course of the centuries. What we can see today along the roads (with regards to churches and remains of the fortress known by the name of Castel Vetere) dates back to Medieval times. The noble palaces date to the XVI-XIX centuries. Among the main places of interests is the church of San Francesco di Paola and convent, built thanks to the generous contribution of some of the most renowned families of the time: the Sanseverino, the Alimena of Montalto, the Sprovieri. In the chapel of San Francesco, on the left side, is a sculpted bust of the saint. It also hosts the tombs of the Princes of Bisignano and the relics of Beato Francesco Maria Greco. It is annexed to the “Casa Madre” church of the Piccole Operaie dei Sacri Cuori.
Typical dishes and produces: Acrese bread, taralli, fusilli with goat meat, buccunottu (which means “small mouth-full” in the local dialect; a one thousand years old dessert of Arab origins) and ncinetti (a dessert characterised by a particularly hard dough).

Corigliano Calabro and Piana

Corigliano Calabro is a district of the city of Corigliano-Rossano, established in March 2018 from the merger of the two municipalities. The village, sitting on the northern slopes of the Sila National Park, has very ancient origins. However, the first written records of its existence only date back to the 11th century. The Norman castle was built one century later and the first major settlements developed all around it. Thanks to this stimulus, the city continued to expand until the Renaissance era.
The economy of Corigliano Calabro and its other numerous districts is based on the primary sector of agriculture and fishing (due to the proximity of the sea and harbour). The particular climate of the area favours extensive cultivation of oranges and clementines, olive oil and wine. For this reason the city was included in the “Città italiane dei sapori” (Italian cities of flavours), which organises festivals and fairs all year round. Some the most popular festivals are: the “sagra del pesce azzurro” (bluefish festival) at the beginning of August in Schiavonea (against the beautiful backdrop of the Ionian Sea), and the festival of San Martino, on the 11th of November, during which many tastings, shows and small festivities take place.
Corigliano Calabro is a great spot for mediterranean-cuisine lovers: among the most common ingredients are vegetables and legumes, together with pasta and other flour-based produces. A very popular dish in Corigliano is tagliatelle con ceci (pasta with chickpeas), to eat after a good starter of cured meat selections like soppressata, salsiccia di montagna and capocollo. In the forests near the city it is possible to find very rare fruits such as strawberry trees and other berries.

Beato Angelo’s Stone

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guides of reference for the stage: Flaviano Lavia +39 339 5290644 – +39 0983 522331 and Domenico Flotta +39 380 7948403

[Corigliano Calabro]

Comune Corigliano – tel. +39 0983 891511 –  web: www.comune.coriglianocalabro.cs.it/
Guida Turistica Arcuri Pietro – tel. +39 347 0134257
Guida Turistica Vaccaro Angelo – tel. +39 348 5529822

Last update: 2024-10-15