Villaggio Mancuso – Pentone

The “Sentiero del Monachesimo” (Trail of Monasticism) crosses mystical places where Eastern monks used to live in remote times. Hikers will be able to admire the site of the Abbazia di Santa Maria di Peseca (founded in 970AD by Basilian monks), the Litrello stream with its many waterfalls, and the village of Taverna (“Bandiera Arancione” – Italian recognition for excellence in tourism). From Taverna, it is possible to make a stopover in San Giovanni d’Albi to visit Taverna Vecchia or continue onto Sorbo San Basile, ending the trail in Pentone.

Villaggio Mancuso – Pentone: sentiero

Area

Sila Piccola

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

25,8 km

Travel time

7,30 – 10 hrs

Start

Villaggio Mancuso

Finish

Pentone

Difference in altitude

↑ 845m ↓ 1484m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Yes

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

The trail starts in the small church dedicated to San Giovanni Gualberto, Keeper of forest rangers, built in the 20th century in wood and local stone, embellished with fine wooden sculptures. It crosses the area of Monaco, passing by the Visits Centre “Antonio Garacea”. It proceeds towards Varano, then shortly after takes a right turn down a track that goes through a picturesque Pinus Nigra Laricio forest. It moves along the areas of Carcarella, Pietrabianca and Carcare, whose names resound of the ancient trade of lime extraction and processing. The trail continues on rocky ground for a stretch until it intersects the SS 179 (Statale road). From here it carries on in a straight line until the panoramic viewpoint of the Abbazia di Santa Maria di Peseca. It then goes downhill along the left slope of the valley of the Litrello until it reaches the stream.

It passes near an old bridge and continues straight until the Chiesa della Madonna Santa Spina, then the first houses of Taverna and onto the city centre by the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Soccorso. The trail goes straight again along via Mattia Preti and turns left at the crossroad with Chiesa Santa Barbara to reach the SP (Provincial road), then follows towards Sorbo San Basile to the right. It continues onto Sorbo San Basile (the name probably originated from the numerous plantations of “sorbi” – service tree – all round the area), where it is recommended to walk by the famous “archicello” (small arch) of Via Roma, once used by Basilian monks as refuge and shelter during their travels between monasteries (such as Santa Maria di Peseca). The itinerary proceeds to Maranise (famous in the past for its leather tanning and wool production) and straight again until the crossroad for Borgo Savuci. Hikers can visit the small village and then return onto the SP (strada provinciale) first towards Fossato Serralta, then to Pentone, the final destination.

Stopover option at San Giovanni d’Albi: from Taverna take a left turn to San Giovanni d’Albi and visit old Taverna. Among many places of interest are the Museo della Civiltà Agrosilvopastorale; the ruins of the outside walls of the old Chiesa di San Leonardo (13th century); the ruins of the Chiesa di San Marco Evangelista, founded in 1102 (featuring traces of ancient frescos on the left side of the building with decorative spirals and fragments of a painting portraying the Virgin and Child); the Chiesa S.S. Apostoli Pietro e Paolo; the Chiesa di san Filippo e Giacomo in the quarter of Dardanise; the Chiesa della Madonna dell’Oliveto, now deconsecrated; the Chiesa di Santa Caterina V.M. and the Corea Palace in the city centre of Albi. 

Brief historical overview

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.

Borgo Savuci: murales

Taverna comes from the latin word “taberna” and was awarded the “Bandiera Arancione” by the Touring Club Italiano (a recognition for excellence in tourism). The artist Mattia Preti was born here in 1613 and it is possible to see beautiful examples of his artwork at the Museo Civico, at the Chiesa di San Domenico and at the Chiesa di Santa Barbara. Hikers can also walk along the “Vie della poesia” (Streets of poetry) where poems by some of the most important authors of the 20th century are inscribed in slipware terracotta.

Taverna: Chiesa Santa Spina

Borgo Savuci is a district of the municipality of Fossato Serralta, a village that has come back to life only in recent years, after having been abandoned in the 1970s due to strong floods. Hikers can get to the village via Maranise, following 1.6 km of panoramic trail downhill. A restoration project and the association “Effetto Stendhal” are taking care of the village, the small alleys and little houses painted with original drawings and murals dedicated to Mimmo Rotella and Fabrizio De Andrè. Every year a festival livens up the streets of Borgo Savuci celebrating art, music, theatre, painting, sculpting, craftsmanship and ancient trades.

Bell tower of Abazia Peseca

Pentone is a charming village founded around the XII century, initially as a simple farmhouse of Taverna. The name derives its origin from the pre-latin word “penta”, meaning “rock, stone”. The cult of San Nicola di Bari spread during the XVI century via Basilian monks coming from Apulia. Among many places of interest are the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Nicola di Bari and the Santuario della Madonna di Termine, with a chapel built in memory of the Marian apparitions allegedly seen by a local peasant girl around mid XVIII century. In the lower part of the village is the “Porta di Mezzogiorno” (Midday Gate), ancient way into the city in the shape of a tower with defensive walls.

Piazza del Popolo a Taverna

Map and elevation profile

Further information

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

[Albi]

Comune Albi – tel. +39 0961 923303 – web: www.comune.albi.cz.it

[Fossato Serralta]

Comune Fossato Serralta – tel. +39 0961 925393 – web: comune.fossatoserralta.cz.it
Pro Loco Fossato Serralta – web: www.facebook.com/Pro-Loco-Fossato-2000-343828332619744 – mail: prolocofossato2000@libero.it
Altre informazioni Borgo Di Savuci – tel. +39 320 9287583 – web: www.facebook.com/pg/Associazione-Effetto-Stendhal

[Sorbo San Basile]

Pro Loco Sorbo San Basile – web: www.it-it.facebook.com/proloco.sorbese
Comune Sorbo San Basile – tel. +39 0961 921108 – web: www.comune.sorbosanbasile.cz.it

[Taverna]

Comune Taverna – tel. +39 0961 921058 – web: www.comune.taverna.cz.it – mail: uectaverna.cz@tiscali.it
Museo Museo civico di Taverna – tel. +39 327 9269883
Pro Loco Taverna – web: www.prolocotaverna.it

Where to sleep

[Pentone]

B&B Ducarelli – tel +39 349 3492232 – mail: ducarelli@outlook.com

Extra: not verified

[Pentone]

B&B – Villa Delle Fate Appartamenti – tel. +39 353 3312742 – mail: valentinamattace2@gmail.com – n.b.: (Off the trail, about 1500 meters from the Sanctuary)
Scattered hotels – Albergo Diffuso Nel Paese Marino Mario – tel. +39 328 3098183 – mail: sofia.critelli@tiscali.it – (Along the trail)

[San Giovanni d’Albi – stopover]

Scattered hotels – San Giovanni D’Albi – tel. +39 333 6988835

Last update: 2021-12-30