Stage n.21
Verzino – Pino Grande (Savelli)
Area
Alto Crotonese
Difficulty
T
Distance
17,4 km
Travel time
5 – 6 hrs
Start
Verzino
Finish
Savelli
Difference in altitude
↑ 1094m ↓ 513m
Accessible
All year round
Springs and fountainheads with waypoint
No
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
Torrente Sanapite
This stage of the Cammino Basiliano takes to Savelli, a village on the border of the Sila plateau. The trail starts in Verzino (the ancient Vertinae, founded by the Oenotrians or by the Homeric hero Philoctetes, after the downfall of Troy) where, in remote times, people used to live in penalitiche, a network of caves connected via small pathways that are still visible to this day on the Western side of the Sperone hill.
Panormic viewpoint Cerenzia vecchio spartia
This stage of the Cammino Basiliano takes to Savelli, a village on the border of the Sila plateau. The trail starts in Verzino (the ancient Vertinae, founded by the Oenotrians or by the Homeric hero Philoctetes, after the downfall of Troy) where, in remote times, people used to live in penalitiche, a network of caves connected via small pathways that are still visible to this day on the Western side of the Sperone hill.
Panormic viewpoint Cerenzia vecchio spartia
Area
Alto Crotonese
Difficulty
T
Distance
17,4 km
Travel time
5 – 6 hrs
Start
Verzino
Finish
Savelli
Difference in altitude
↑ 1094m ↓ 513m
Accessible
All year round
Springs and fountainheads with waypoint
No
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
Torrente Sanapite
Verzino-Pino Grande (Savelli): view
Route
The trail starts from Verzino following the Provincial road SP26 until it reaches a small promontory called San Girofalo or “cross of three areas”. From here, onto the other slope, it arrives at the SP53 where is a nice view of the area of Crotone and the Presila, reaching then the area of “Russe”. The trail is now in the shades thanks to the dense vegetation of pines and oak trees. It crosses a small track/short cut that takes to the bridge of the Senapite stream. Further on, the route goes uphill, through hairpin turns and small bridges, opening up to beautiful panoramic sceneries. There are two drinkable water springs along the trail at around 3 km from the Senapite bridge. Travel along the SP53 until the final destination of Savelli.
Brief historical overview
Verzino is a municipality of the Presila crotonese. According to studies, Verzino is the ancient town of Vertinae, built by the Oenotrians or by the Homeric hero Philoctetes, who, after the downfall of Troy, arrived in these territories with his men and founded many villages. Records of these events can be found in the writings of the Greek historian Strabo. Around 500 b.C. Verzino passed from the hands of the people of Sibari to those of the people of Crotone. The latter decided to “exploit the iron, sulphur and silver quarries on top of the alabaster ones and a spring of sulphurous water in the area. The land was still renowned for a kind of earth called Ripoli, used to clean jewellery, and its medicinal herbs. Great abundance of game in its mountains.” At that time, people of Verzino used to live in penalitiche, a network of caves connected via small pathways that are still visible to this day on the Western side of the Sperone hill, where the city centre is located.
Verzino
Savelli is a village of recent origins, on the boarder of the Sila plateau. Completely surrounded by conifer forests, it originated in the area of Scalzaporri from refugees’ settlements of people from Cosenza, following the earthquake of 1638. The villages was named after Princess Carlotta Savelli, who supported the new settlement’ constructions. It features an interesting road into the village, virtually intact, that from the Sanapite stream takes to the city centre. Abandoned mills and spinning mills are dotted all around the countryside.
Curva Liccù ruins
Map and elevation profile
Further information
Guides of reference for the stage: Antonio Biafora +39 328 1193312 and Alessandro Frontera +39 340 3663376
[Savelli]
Comune Savelli – tel. +39 0964 996003 – web: comune.savelli.kr.it – mail: comunesavelli@libero.it
Pro Loco Savelli – web: www.facebook.com/pg/Pro-Loco-Savelli
Where to sleep
Extra: not verified
[Savelli]
B&B – Villaggio Pino Grande – tel. +39 393 3261534
Where to eat
Extra: not verified
[Savelli]
Restaurant – La Taverna Di Antonio Obligato – tel. +39 984996602
Restaurant – Pizzeria Il Parco – tel. +39 0984 996654
Restaurant – Da Peppe Cozza Era Ora – tel. +39 328 9283820
With thanks to Regione Calabria for the Contribution to the project.
Last update: 2021-12-29
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Project realised with the contribution of Regione Calabria
Project realised with the contribution of Regione Calabria