Paludi – Longobucco

Right at the heart of the Greek Sila, the stage offers hikers an enchanting view onto the Ionian Sea, passing by laure (small hermitages) carved into the rocks by Byzantine monks, and the archaeological site of Castiglione di Paludi, important Bruttian fortress or Greek city, potentially founded by king Alexander I of Epirus. The trail turns almost “mythological” as it reaches Longobucco, passing across ruins, oak tree forests, Pinus nigra laricio, chestnuts and beech trees. Longobucco is a Medieval village identified by some historians as Temesa, the ancient city rich in mining quarries mentioned by Homer in the first book of the Odyssey. Breathtaking rocky gorges along the Trionto River.

S.Maria di Nazareth, sec XVI

Area

Sila Greca

Difficulty

E

Distance

25 km

Travel time

8-10 ore

Start

Paludi

Finish

Longobucco

Difference in altitude

↑ 1500m ↓ 1100m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

No

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

The trail starts from Paludi’s main square, crossing part of the city centre, and then moves uphill for 7 km. Exiting the city centre is the Church of S. Maria di Nazareth (or Sant’Antonio) dating back to the XVI century; along the trail are ancient ruins and evocative panoramic views onto the hills and Ionian Sea. The climb up the municipal street gives way firstly to an oak tree forests and then to the Pinus nigra laricio, characteristic vegetation of the Silan territory. The route offers once again many beautiful views onto the Golfo di Sibari, the valley of Colognati, Coserie and Trionto – rich in mixed forests of oaks, chestnuts, beech, pines and black pines trees. Hikers will walk under two of the most important peaks of Monte Paleparto (1468 m) and being the descent towards Longobucco, passing by the renowned “pietra e ragna Zita” rock.

Brief historical overview

Paludi is a small village of Eastern Greek Sila 430 m above sea level. It was part of the territory of Rossano for most of its history. In the city centre of Paludi are a number of churches of particular historical and artistic value such as: the Chiesa Madre dedicated to San Clemente (Patron Saint, celebrated on the 23rd of November), the Chiesa dell’Immacolata Concezione, the Chiesa della Madonna del Soccorso and the Chiesa di S. Antonio. The latter is knowns as Sant’Antonio (even though consecrated as “Santa Maria di Nazareth”) due to the presence of the simulacrum of the Saint venerated by the citizens of Paludi. It is highly recommended to pay a visti to the archeological site of Castiglione di Paludi, important Bruttian fortress or Greek city, potentially founded by king Alexander I of Epirus. Among some of the tastiest local dishes are the maccarrun alla pastora, anice biscuits, the scaliddri (sweet honey-glazed sticks), the trippa ccu lu sucu juschent (pork tripe seasoned with spicy sauce).

View onto Paludi

The name Longobucco derives from the latin longa bucca (long cave/cavity), with references to the gorge of the Trionto stream. Some historian identify Longobucco with Temesa, the ancient city rich in mining quarries mentioned by Homer in the first book of the Odyssey. Both the citizens of Sibari and Crotone, during Magna Gaecia times, made use of the silver quarries of Longobucco for coin minting. Even Gioacchino da Fiore paid a visit to the Silan village in order to produce a series of stem glasses. The first records mentioning the Argentera (local name for the mining quarries) date back to the XII century. The work at the quarries intensified during Angevin domination, but declined once again in the second half of the XVII century. At the beginning of the 17th century a group of German miners took over the mining quarries and kept them active until 1783.
The Torre Civica of the XI century in the city centre has been converted to a bell tower and it is known locally as U Campanaru. Also worth a visit are the Chiesa Matrice, dedicated to S. Maria Assunta (featuring a collection of religious artefacts), and the churches of S. Maria Maddalena, S. Maria delle Grazie and dell’Addolorata. Many side chapels along the Trionto River, with sanzi (extraordinary rocky gorges) running along the banks. The village is renowned for the precious local craftsmanship of handmade textiles: for a deeper analysis on the subject, we recommend a visit to the Museum of Weaving. Among some of the most traditional dishes are: i ferriatti e grastatu (handmade fusilli with ragù), the sacchiattu (a “bag” of pork made with its own intestines), i vermiciaddi (fresh vermicelli pasta with pork meat ragù), i tagghjarini (tagliatelle), the carriciaddi (pita bread stuffed with sardedda, elder flowers), i fritti a biantu (sugar coated fried biscuits), the curpinedde (Christmas cakes stuffed with jam, raisins and nuts).

Gorges of the Trionto

​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

[Longobucco]

Comune Longobucco – tel. +39 0983 72505 – web: www.comune.longobucco.cs.it – mail:  affarigenerali@comunelongobucco.eu

Pro Loco Longobucco – tel. +39 389 7814031 – web: www.prolocolongobucchese.it – mail: info@prolocolongobucchese.it

Where to eat

Extra: not verified

[Longobucco ]

Farmhouse – Agriturismo il Biscardino – tel. 39 393 7878012

Last update: 2021-12-27