Badolato – Guardavalle

The main features of this stage are the ancient Medieval villages and their historical/artistic and architectural heritages. Basilian traces are nestled like precious stones all around the enchanting landscape. Hikers will be able to admire the ruins of the ancient Basilian monastery of the Madonna della Neve – featuring the extraordinary fresco of the “Madonna del Latte” – and the ruins of an ancient Medieval monastery called “I Monaci” (the monks) – of Franciscan origins, then later Capuchin – were Tommaso Campanella resided for a period of time.

View onto Badolato

Area

Serre

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

19,3 km

Travel time

5 – 7 hrs

Start

Badolato

Finish

Guardavalle

Difference in altitude

↑ 650m ↓400m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Santa Caterina

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

Lunari e Carciamite

Route

The stage starts in Badolato Borgo (Piazza Castello – Belvedere di Badolato) and finishes in Guardavalle Superiore (Piazza Immacolata) via the municipality of Santa Caterina dello Ionio. The itinerary is characterised by pure landscapes, breathtaking sceneries looking onto the sea and fine natural resources (monumental trees, fiumare and mountain vegetation characterised by the typical maquis shrubland). Along the route it is possible to visit an ancient mill and, in the area of Colonia, the ruins of the old Basilian monastery of Madonna della Neve – featuring the extraordinary fresco of the “Madonna del Latte”. In the area of “I Monaci” is a monumental linden tree and, on the ridge, ruins of an ancient Medieval monastery called “I Monaci” (the monks) – of Franciscan origins, then Capuchin – were Tommaso Campanella resided during December 1599 due to a revolt agains the Spanish domination.

Brief historical overview

Badolato is a Medieval village founded by the Norman Roberto il Guiscardo in 1080. Just like S. Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio, this village used to be a Basilian settlement, as attested by the Chiesetta della Sanità in the city quarter of S. Isidoro, featuring a fresco from the late Byzantine period. It is also recommended to pay a visit to the Chiesa dell’Immacolata, the Chiesa di S. Andrea Avellino, the Chiesa di Santa Caterina and the 17th century convent of S.Maria degli Angeli. In the latter features two wooden sculptures by Fra Diego da Careri in its church: a crucifix with the body of Christ carved out of a single piece of wild pear wood and the majestic statue of Santa Maria degli Angeli, sculpted out of a great olive tree’s trunk and recently restored in Gerace (thanks to the national venture “Arte e Fede” – Art and Faith – coordinated by master restorer, Giuseppe Mantella).

As suggested by its name, the village of Guardavalle (“Look/valley”) was used in the 16th century as a strategic lookout post to spot potential pirates’ raids along the coast. The main church, with its exquisite carving decorations, and the Madonna del Rosario di Tommaso Martini are worth a visit.

View of Santa Caterina Ionio

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guides of reference for the stage: Guerino Nisticò +39 338 4709111 e Pasquale Peronace +39 347 3015903

[Guardavalle]

Comune Guardavalle – tel. +39 0967 82067 –  web: www.comune.guardavalle.cz.it – mail: protocollo@comune.guardavalle.cz.it
Pro Loco Guardavalle – tel. +39 0967 86867 –  web: www.facebook.com/SyrletoValley
Altre Informazioni Associazione Syrleto Valley – tel. – web: www.comune.iscasulloionio.cz.it

[Santa Caterina dello Ionio]

Pro Loco Santa Caterina dello Ionio – tel. – web: www.facebook.com/pg/Pro-Loco-Santa-Caterina-dello-Ionio
Comune Santa Caterina dello Ionio – tel. +39 0967 84306 – web: www.comune.santacaterinadelloionio.cz.it

Where to eat

[Guardavalle]

Farmhouse – Villa Vittoria (7 km from the historic center in the open countryside) – tel. +39 393 473015903 – mail: info@agriturismovillavittoria.it
Restaurant – La Cuccagna – tel. +39 393 887529704 – mail: lacuccagna.rmr@libero.it

Extra: not verified

[Guardavalle]

Market Ussia (Food & Sandwich Take Away) – tel. +39 0967 82608
Pizzeria Bar Del Corso – tel. +39 380 1235512
Macelleria Diaco Pronto Cuoci/Servizio D’asporto – tel. +39 340 0965894
Restaurant – Trattoria Lisarusa A 3 Km Dal Centro Storico – tel. +39 380 4698432

[Santa Caterina dello Ionio -Stopover]

Farmhouse – La Sena – tel. +39 329 9651531 – mail: luna8910@live.it
Pizzeria La Veranda  – tel. +39 0930 4859
Pizzeria La Vecchia Posta  – tel. +39 393 495069537

Last update: 2021-12-31