Santa Severina – Petilia Policastro

This stage of the Cammino Basiliano leads hikers through the territories of Marchesato (an area enclosed between the medium and lower courses of the Neto and Tacina rivers that includes also a number of territories to the North of the lower course of the Neto) and guides them across the Presila crotonese. From the ancient village of Siberene (one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia”) to Petilia Policastro, a village featuring the Shrine of Santa Spina, where the relic of a thorn from Jesus Christ’s crown is kept to this day.

Panoramic view Monte Fuscaldo

Area

Provincia di Crotone, comuni di Santa Severina-Petilia Policastro-Roccabernarda

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

26 km

Travel time

8 – 10 hrs

Start

Santa Severina – Piazza Campo

Finish

Petilia Policastro – Convento Santa Spina

Difference in altitude

↑ 940m ↓ 560m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

The only water supply available is in the village of Roccabernarda

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

Brief historical overview

Santa Severina is the ancient Oenotrian town of Siberene, one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia”, also known as the “Boat of Stone”, thanks to its lavish appearances that make it stand out from the rest of the scenery in the Valley of the Neto River. It is an important religious hub of the diocesi Crotone-Santa Severina and it features (in the ex-Archbishop Palace) the Biblioteca Storica Diocesana (Library) and Archivio Storico Diocesano (Historical Archive). The XII century Cathedral, the Norman castle and the Byzantine Baptistery are all worth a visit. The village still represents to this day a crucial cultural centre for the entire area.

Convent Minimi San Francesco Roccabernarda

Petilia Policastro is an ancient village, probably of Byzantine origins, that continues to rely to this day on sheep farming and wood industry. It features the famous convent of Santa Spina, where it is kept a relic of one of the thorns of Jesus Christ’s crown. The relic comes from France and it is worshiped every year by locals on the second Friday of March, during the procession of the Calvary.

Convent Santa Spina

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guide of reference for the stage: Giovanni Vizza  +39 320 8292222

[Petilia Policastro]

Pro Loco Petilia Policastro – tel. – web: www.facebook.com/groups/117928038232129
Comune Petilia Policastro – tel. +39 0962 433801 – web: comune.petiliapolicastro.kr.it

Where to eat

[Petilia Policasto]

Agriturismo – La Basiliana – tel. +39 339 4400140

[Santa Severina]

Agriturismo – Biologico Il Querceto – tel. +39 328 2620680
Agriturismo – Azienda Agrituristica Le Puzelle – tel. +39 0962 51004
mail: lepuzelle@libero.it