Tiriolo – San Floro

The stage leads hikers from Tirolo to the city centre of San Floro, land of figs and silkworms. Tirolo is 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.

Panorma del percorso

Area

Sila Piccola/Serre

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

20,8 km

Travel time

6 – 8 hrs

Start

Tiriolo

Finish

San Floro

Difference in altitude

↑ 426m ↓ 801m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Yes

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

The trail starts from the central square Piazza Italia of Tirolo and follows the SS19 (Statale road) delle Calabrie until Castaneto. At the crossroad, it takes the street to Settingiano, goes through the city centre of Settingiano, then Martellet-to and Campo. It continues onto a gravel road across olive groves and wheat fields until it intersects the SP46 (Provinciale road). Following a series of hair-pin turns with spectacular views onto the valley, the Tirolo mountain and the city of Catanzaro, the trail reaches the final destination of San Floro.

Off-track (optional): From Tirolo it is also possible to reach Marcellinara and visit its city centre, featuring the palace of the Baron or Sanseverino Castle: built in the first half of the 15th century, the castle underwent many restoration works throughout the years due to earthquakes. It is said that in 1464 San Fran-cesco di Paola resided here for a period of time. A document discovered at the historical archive of Catanzaro speaks about an old walnut trunk containing robes of San Francis and a small painting.

Brief historical overview

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.

San Floro: Calanchi

Settingiano is a picturesque village characterised by historical palaces in its city centre that are decorated with apotropaic masks of Greek origins.

Paesaggio percorso

San Floro was named after its patron saint. It is known as the “land of figs” due to its production of traditional dried white figs that uses a natural sun-dried pro-cess just like in ancient times. It also manufactures silk from the culture of silk-worm until the final product. While strolling along its city centre, it is worth vis-iting the noble palaces and the Church of San Nicola.

Distese di grano a San Floro

Map and elevation profile

Further information

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

[San Floro]

Comune San Floro – tel. +39 0961 054439 – web: www.sanfloro.asmenet.it

Where to sleep

[San Floro]

B&B – Nonna Ninna – tel. +39 333 8451129 – mail: nu.bressi57@gmail.com

Extra: not verified

[San Floro]

Residence – Polifunzionale Germaneto – tel. +39 0961 954085 – mail: info@residencegermaneto.it – n.b.: it is located 2,6 Km before San Floro, along the Tiriolo – San Floro stage

Last update: 2021-12-30