Catanzaro – Tiriolo

This stage of the Cammino Basiliano leads hikers from the administrative centre of the region (perched onto three hills overlooking the Ionian Sea and the mountains of the Sila Piccola) to Tirolo: a village that echoes of mythological references located on the Isthmus of Catanzaro, the narrowest section of the Italian peninsula, offering great panoramic views onto both the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian Seas.

City centre of Catanzaro​

Area

Sila Piccola

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

17,6 km

Travel time

5 – 7 hrs

Start

Catanzaro

Finish

Tiriolo

Difference in altitude

↑ 770m ↓ 492m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Yes

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

The stage links Catanzaro, administrative centre of the region, to Tirolo, the city of the two Seas (identified by scholar Amin Wolf as Scheria, the Land of the Phaiacians, last destination of Odysseus before his return home to Itaca). Along the trail hikers will be able to admire simultaneously both the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian Seas, the Etna volcano and the Aeolian Islands. The trail starts in the gardens of San Leonardo, Catanzaro, crosses the city and goes over the Bisantis Viaduct.  It takes via Tommaso Campanella until a small church dedicated to Sant’Antonio, makes a left for Via Baarlam da Seminara and passes under the viaduct bypass onto the SS19 della Calabrie. After 6,5 km from the start of the trail, near a bridge on a small fiumara, visitors must continue on foot or MTB (no car access). The itinerary continues on the SS19 (Statale road), passes the area of Pratora (where is the church dedicated to Santa Maria Madre della Chiesa) and carries on towards Castaneto. The trail ends in Tirolo, Piazza Italia.

Brief historical overview

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.

Monte Tiriolo

Tirolo is a village that echoes of mythological references located on the Isthmus of Catanzaro, the narrowest section of the Italian peninsula, offering great pan-oramic views onto both the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian Seas. On the mountain that goes under the same name are natural caves inhabited since the Neolithic era. It is recommended to pay a visit to the beautiful palaces of the city centre, the feudal castle, the municipal Antiquarium (featuring an invaluable archeo-logical collection made of artefacts discovered in various areas around the vil-lage) and the Museo del Costume, with handcrafted clothing in pure silk on display. Artisanal produces include loom woven shawls, laces and crochets. Tirolo is famous for traditional female costumes, popular with visitors since the 19th century. The “Pacchiana” costume was a silk gown with a golden embroi-dered corset, colourful laces and white quilted veils. The women would wear the costume adorned by golden jewels, braided dark hair and the “vancale”, a black shawl with few colourful stripes.

Panoramic views of Tiriolo

Map and elevation profile

Further information

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

[Tiriolo]

Further information Portale Tiriolo turistica  – web: www.tirioloturistica.it
Comune Tiriolo – web: www.comune.tiriolo.cz.it – mail: sindaco@comune.tiriolo.cz.it

Where to sleep

[Tiriolo]

B&B – La Casa Di Ely – tel. +39 338 8278616, +39 334 3322429 – mail: info@lacasadiely.it
Residence – Residence Due Mari – tel. +39 0961 991064 – +39 338 1831485 – mail: due.mari@tin.it

Last update: 2021-12-30