Corigliano Calabro – Rossano

The stage starts at the Shrine of S. Francesco di Paola in Corigliano Calabro (offering hikers evocative sceneries onto the Piana di Sibari, the Golfo di Taranto, the Polline Massif and harbour of Schiavonea along the way ) and leads to the extraordinary Abbey of Santa Maria del Patire, a Basilian monastic complex founded at the beginning of the XI century. The trail continues on to Rossano – hosting the invaluable Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, UNESCO world heritage since 2015 – moving through incredible landscapes of holly oak forests, centuries-old olive groves and “jardini” (orange groves that in spring fill these lands with the fragrant perfume of orange blossom).

Abbazia di Santa Maria del Patire

A

Sila Greca

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

27,9 km

Travel time

8-11 ore

Start

Corignano Calabro – Santuario S.Francesco di Paola

Finish

Rossano – Cattedrale di Maria Santissima Achiropita

Difference in altitude

↑ 1350m ↓ 130m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

No

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

Notes

From km 9 to km 11 the descent becomes very demanding due to ruts caused by motocross and in some places the growing vegetation could cover the track. Recommended for experienced hikers or accompanied by a guide.

Brief historical overview

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.

Rossano: uliveto

Rossano is a district of the city of Corigliano-Rossano, established in March 2018 from the merger of the two municipalities. The village originates on top of a well fortified hill on the last extremities of the Greek Sila. It is renowned for being in the past an important spiritual, political and administrative centre of the Byzantine Empire (so much so that it earned the title – still in use to this day – of “Byzantine”). The seven Basilian monasteries and the numerous number of small hermitages (laura or lavra) make it a crucial religious epicentre. The Museo Diocesano of Rossano features a precious artefact, renowned throughout the world: the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, a Byzantine Gospel Book with priceless polychrome miniatures dating back to the 6th century and inscribed by the UNESCO Committee in its register of the memory of the world since 2015. The city centre is rich of precious buildings of historical and artistic relevance such as: the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Achiropita (XI century); the Church of San Nilo (XV century), the Parish of San Marco (IX-X century), one of the most well-preserved examples of Byzantine architecture in Italy; the Church of Panghìa (X-XI century), yet another example of religious Byzantine architecture with traces of ancient frescos. The Abbey of Santa Maria del Patire is well worth a visit: it is a Basilian monastic complex dating back to the XI century. The natural oasis of chestnuts also known as “I Giganti di Cozzo del Pesco” (Giants of Cozzo del Pesco) is around four kilometres away from Santa Maria del Patire: Basilian monks used to make flour from the chestnuts, bake sweets, and exchange them for other produces with local and foreign people. The Giorgio Amarelli Museum of liquorice is also worth a visit.

Rossano: Porta dell’acqua

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

[Rossano ]

Pro Loco Corigliano – tel. +39 349 2521291 – web: www.prolocorossano.it/ – mail: info@prolocorossano.it
Comune Corigliano – Rossano – tel. +39 0983 891511 – web: www.comune.corigliano-rossano.cs.it – mail: protocollo.coriglianorossano@asmepec.it
Ufficio Turismo Rossano 0983529209

Where to eat

Extra: not verified

[Corigliano Calabro ]

Farmhouse – Tenuta Ciminata Greco – tel. +39 339 7322129 – mail: info@tenutaciminatagreco.it

[Rossano ]

Restaurant – Pizzeria/Trattoria San Marco La Bizantina – tel. +39 0983 525340 – mail: pierluiginola@libero.it

Last update: 2021-12-20