Torre di Ruggiero – Serra San Bruno

The majestic nature of the Parco Naturale Regionale delle Serre, with its dense forests, fountains and streams, creates an almost “mystical” kind of landscape. The fresh, clean air and the silence, make this trail particularly evocative. The trail starts from the village founded by Ruggero il Normanno and ends at the site chosen by Bruno di Colonia (father of the Order of Carthusians) for the construction of the Chartreuse of Santo Stefano.

Charterhouse of Serra San Bruno

Area

Serre

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

20 km

Travel time

6 – 8 hrs

Start

Torre Ruggiero

Finish

Serra San Bruno

Difference in altitude

↑ 736m ↓500m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Water available both at the start and at the end of the trail via small mountain fountains along the route

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

Fiume Ancinale

Route

Brief historical overview

The first settlements of Torre di Ruggero, village founded by Ruggero il Nor-manno, were built around a tower (originally intended as a “farmhouse”). It is worth paying a visit to the Shrine of the Madonna delle Grazie and the ruins of the Convento Agostiniano, built in the 16th century and dedicated to Nostra Signora del Carmine. The village is part of the “Associazione Nazionale della Città della Nocciola” (National Association City of Hazelnuts).

Ruins of Castle Baronessa Cardinale

Serra San Bruno exists thanks to Bruno di Colonia, monk and founder of the Order of Carthusians, that dedicated his life to the search for God and the construction of the Chartreuse of Santo Stefano. The village is structured around the city centre, also known as “Terravecchia”, and the newest city quarter of “Spinetto”. The latter was built following the 1783 earthquake that demolished most of the village and some of the monastery’s buildings, among which was also the Carthusian church of the convent. Only the 16th century granite facade stands today, memory of the majestic size of the original monastery. The village was also reconstructed thanks to the many artisans who managed to take advantage of the natural resources available in the area (such as wood, iron and granite) and create fine artworks for the decoration of the churches and town. The churches of Serra, in fact, still preserve numerous records of the glorious artistic past of this beautiful village.

Forest of Baroness Scoppa Castle

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guide of reference for the stage: Gabriel Figliuzzi +39 339 7125954

[Serra San Bruno]

Comune Serra San Bruno – tel. +39 0963 7794 – web: www.comune.serrasanbruno.vv.it/ – mail: info@comune.serrasanbruno.vv.it
Pro Loco Serra San Bruno – tel. +39 340 9768115 – web: www.it-it.facebook.com/Proloco-Serra-San-Bruno – mail: prolocoserrasanbruno@gmail.com

Where to eat

[Serra San Bruno]

Farmhouse Fondo dei Baroni  +39 329 9446539, +39 0963 71706 – mail: info@fondodeibaroni.it
Hotel Certosa +39 340 5440989, +39 0963 71538, +39 3405440989 – mail: hotel.certosa@libero.it

Extra: not verified

[Serra San Bruno]

Farmhouse il Roseto +39 333 4844357, +39 329 4447957, +39 0963 71320 – mail: info@agriturismoroseto.com

Last update: 2021-12-31