Sellia – Villaggio Mancuso 

This stage of the Cammino Basiliano starts from the village of Sellia – with great panoramic viewpoints onto the Golfo di Squillace and Presila catanzarese – and ends in Villaggio Mancuso, at the heart of the Sila Piccola. Along the way hikers will cross locations rich in natural and artistic beauty such as Magisano, San Pietro Magisano and Vincolise.

Small lake Villaggio Mancuso

Area

Appennino Meridionale – Calabria

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

18,7 km

Travel time

5 – 7 hrs

Start

Sellia

Finish

Villaggio Mancuso

Difference in altitude

↑ 949m ↓ 216m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Yes

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

A naturalistic stage connecting the village of Sellia with the Sila mountains across locations rich in natural and artistic beauty, such as Magisano, San Pietro Magisano and Vincolise. Among the many touristic attractions are the Shrine of Maria SS.ma della Luce, the Devil’s bridge, the characteristic gorges of Simeri river and the house-museum “Antonino Greco” (legal expert and patriot of the Italian unification). Upon arrival at the well-equipped Villaggio Mancuso, the hike moves along breathtaking panoramic views onto both Seas, the Etna volcano and the fascinating colours of the Sila vegetation. It is recommended to end the trail with a visit to the Visitors’ Centre “Antonio Garacea” in the Sila National Park.

Brief historical overview

The village of Sellia, thanks to its great location, offers great panoramic viewpoints on the Golfo di Squillace and Presila catanzarese. The ruins of the Medieval castle are still visible in the highest part of the village. One of the main tourist attraction is the Adventure Park “Il Borgo Sospeso” (the “suspended village”), where visitors can “fly” on a zip line hanging between the park and the city centre for 500m. Walking around the small alleys, it is possible to visit museums, the parish of San Nicola di Bari (featuring a 17th century marble “Pietà”) and the Chiesa del S.S. Rosario (XVII century).

Panoramic view onto the village of Sellia

Magisano is a village of the Presila rich in cultural and artistic beauty: infinite series of waterfalls along the fiumare Finoieni and Grande, the old forest of Caritello/Viperaro, the Grotta Rosa (pink cave) and the Chiesa di San Maria Assunta e del Rosario. In the district of San Pietro Magisano is the Devil’s Bridge, dating back to the Roman era, and the Shrine of Santuario Maria SS.ma della Luce (1064). The Shrine features a beautiful wood-carved altar from the XVII-XVIII century, a wooden cross (XIX century), the statue of the Madonna della Luce (XVIII century) and an ancient cross (XVII century). In the district of Vincolise is the house-museum “Antonino Greco” (legal expert and patriot of the Italian unification) hosting antiques, book and various important documents such as the first UTET 1863 encyclopaedia, and a 16th century edition of Petrarca. In the Cappella Gentilizia of 1850 (consecrated with seal of Pope Pio IX) are the golden reliquaries of Sant’Anna, Santa Amelia and San Tommaso, on top of other important artefacts.

San Pietro Magisano

Villaggio Mancuso is one of the most well-equipped villages of the Sila Piccola, where the majority of houses are made of wood. The Visitors’ Centre “Antonio Garacea” of the Sila National Park is in the area of Monaco and it is open all year round. There are museums dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Sila, tracks supervised by the “carabinieri della biodiversità” (rangers of biodiversity) of Catanzaro, the “aromatic and medical herbs garden”, the “geological trail”, the “trail for blind visitors”, the “trail for visually impaired visitors”, the “forest’ culture garden”, the “nursery of Silan biodiversity”, and the “rural village of ancient Sila”. Other areas have been destined to acclimatisation and diffusion centres for roe deers and stags. In Villaggio Mancuso are also interesting buildings of historical value, such as the “Grande Albergo delle Fate” (Great Fairies Hotel) and the “Rotonda”, typical cylindric construction.

Broom in bloom along the way

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guide of reference for the stage: Marco Garcea +39 347 8051252

[Sellia]

Comune Sellia – tel. +39 0961 483049 – web: www.comune.sellia.cz.it
Zagarise Associazione A.P.S. Asperitas – tel. +39 333 4462166 – web: www.facebook.com/Asperitas – mail: associazioneasperitas@gmail.com

[Magisano]

Comune Magisano – tel. +39 0961 926015 – web: www.comune.magisano.cz.it
Pro Loco Magisano – tel. +39 329 2623592 – web: www.facebook.com/proloco.magisano – mail: prolocomagisano.19@gmail.com
Museo Casa Museo Antonino Greco – tel. +39 338 3734107

[Taverna]

Centro Visite Antonio Garcea – tel. +39 0960 922819 – web: www.parcosila.it/it/visita-il-parco/cosa-vedere/centri-visita/antonio-garcea.html
Museo Museo civico di Taverna – tel. +39 327 9269883
Pro Loco Taverna – tel. – web: www.prolocotaverna.it
Comune Taverna – tel. +39 0961 921058 – web: www.comune.taverna.cz.it – mail: uectaverna.cz@tiscali.it

Where to eat

Extra: not verified

[Taverna]

Restaurant – Ragno d’oro – tel. +39 0961 922043

Last update: 2021-12-31