Stage n.36
Pentone – Catanzaro
Area
Sila Piccola
Difficulty
E
Distance
20.7 km
Travel time
6 – 8 hrs
Start
Pentone
Finish
Catanzaro
Difference in altitude
↑ 710m ↓ 1014m
Accessible
All year round
Springs and fountainheads with waypoint
Yes
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
No
The trail connects Pentone to the administrative centre of the region (Catanzaro) via a highly significant itinerary both from a naturalistic and cultural/religious perspective. It is possible to visit along the trail important places of worship such as the Shrine of the Madonna di Termine, where the traditional procession on mountain tracks takes place every second Sunday of September. Upon arrival in Catanzaro, it is highly recommended to pay a visit to the Parco della Biodiversità Mediterranea (one of the most beautiful Italian parks), the Complesso Monumentale del San Giovanni, the museums and many churches.
Santuario Madonna di Termine
The trail connects Pentone to the administrative centre of the region (Catanzaro) via a highly significant itinerary both from a naturalistic and cultural/religious perspective. It is possible to visit along the trail important places of worship such as the Shrine of the Madonna di Termine, where the traditional procession on mountain tracks takes place every second Sunday of September. Upon arrival in Catanzaro, it is highly recommended to pay a visit to the Parco della Biodiversità Mediterranea (one of the most beautiful Italian parks), the Complesso Monumentale del San Giovanni, the museums and many churches.
Santuario Madonna di Termine
Area
Sila Piccola
Difficulty
E
Distance
20.7 km
Travel time
6 – 8 hrs
Start
Pentone
Finish
Catanzaro
Difference in altitude
↑ 710m ↓ 1014m
Accessible
All year round
Springs and fountainheads with waypoint
Yes
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
No
Edicola lungo il sentiero
Route
The trail continues downhill until the SS109/bis (Statale road), then onto the left until the Shrine of the Madonna di Termine, the site where the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared to a local peasant girl offering her bread (the scene has been reconstructed in a cave built inside the church). The road that descends towards the Alli river is on the right, after the shrine. It passes near the “broken rock” and the ruins of an ancient Basilian monastery, along breathtaking panoramic views onto the Ionian Sea, villages of the Presila catanzarese and Alli river. The trail goes downhill along a series of hairpin turns towards the Alli river and intersects with the SP25. It turns right for Ianò di Catanzario until the roundabout and follows in the direction for Pontegrande. After crossing the densely populated quarter of Pontegrande, passing by the Chiesa Maria Immacolata, hikers will continue straight through the quarter of Pontepiccolo (where is the Northern entrance of the Parco della Biodiversità Mediterranea), then Viale Papa Pio X, Via A. Cantafio (by the Catanzaro Fire Brigade Station) until the gardens of San Leonardo, meeting place for Catanzaro’s youngsters.
Brief historical overview
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.
Borgo Savuci: murales
Catanzaro is the administrative centre of the Calabrian region. The city is perched onto three hills overlooking the Ionian Sea and the mountains of the Sila Piccola. The Viadotto Bisantis (ex Morandi) is a famous engineering work, a single reinforced concrete span, one of the highest in the world. The artistic and architectural heritage is well preserved in the historical churches and museums. It is imperative to pay a visit to the Parco della Biodiversità Mediterranea, one of the most beautiful parks in Italy, and to admire the view from the terrace of the monumental complex of San Giovanni. Hikers can have a taste of the typical local dish of Catanzaro, U Morzeddhu: veal meat offals with tomato sauce eaten with local pita bread and a good glass of red Calabrian wine.
Panorama sul Santuario Madonna di Termine
Map and elevation profile
Further information
Guide of reference for the stage: Marco Garcea +39 347 8051252
[Catanzaro]
Comune Catanzaro – tel. +39 0961 8811 – web: www.comune.catanzaro.it/ambiente/turismo – mail: urp@comune.catanzaro.it
Pro Loco Catanzaro – tel. +39 0961 052458 – web: www.proloco-catanzaro.org/ – mail: info@proloco-catanzaro.org
Where to sleep
[Catanzaro]
Hotel – Hotel Guglielmo – tel. +39 0961 741922 – cel. +39 347 5659597 – mail: prenotazioni@hotelguglielmo.it
Hotel – Benny Hotel – tel. +39 0961 771791 – mail: info@bennyhotel.it
B&B – Stadio Hospital – tel. +39 349 3737911 – mail: massimorotondaro1960@gmail.com
B&B – Ponte Piccolo – tel. +39 349 3737911 – mail: massimorotondaro1960@gmail.com
[Pentone]
B&B Ducarelli – tel +39 349 3492232 – mail: ducarelli@outlook.com
Extra: not verified
[Catanzaro]
B&B – L’Attico – tel. +39 338 3611630 – mail: info@atticocz.it – n.b.: (Off the trail, about 450 mt from the trail)
B&B – I Portici E Villa Bella – tel. +39 331 9168961 – mail: gaglianeseylenia@libero.it
[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)
Where to eat
[Sellia Superiore]
Agriturismo – Digorà – tel. +39 3357293513
Ristorante – La Locanda Dei Cavalieri – tel. +39 348 2629304
Ristorante – Il Borgo Antichi E Nuovi Sapori – tel. +39 331 6536412
[Zagarise]
Il Borgo Antichi E Nuovi Sapori – tel. +39 331 6536412
With thanks to Regione Calabria for the Contribution to the project.
Last update: 2021-12-30
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Project realised with the contribution of Regione Calabria
Project realised with the contribution of Regione Calabria
