Sant’Ilarione – Gioiosa Ionica

Hikers will be able to admire along the trail the Hermitage of Sant’Ilarione, the Shrine of Maria Santissima di Crochi and the Hermitage delle Querce, along with few monumental elder trees and forests of holly oaks.

Caulonia: Chiesa dei Crochi

Zona

Serre Orientali

Difficoltà

E Percorribile anche in MTB

Distanza

24 km

Tempo di percorrenza

6-9 ore

Partenza

Pazzano (Monte Stella, 680m)

Arrivo

S. Ilarione – Caulonia

Dislivello

↑ 590m ↓1100m

Percorribile

Tutto l’anno

Fonti e sorgenti con waypoint

Fontanella Chiappa

Attraversamenti fiumi e fiumare (waypoint)

Fosso Attaccaro

Route

The Hermitage of Sant’Ilarione (perched on a rocky spur on the second to last meander of the Allaro fiumara) and the ancient 7km aqueduct built by monks to water the terraced fields, are two constructions of great historical and architectonical relevance. From Sant’Ilarione, the trail continues with a visit to the Shrine of Maria Santissima di Crochi, where, during the last three days of the second week of September, celebrations are held culminating in a procession on the riverbed of the Amura fiumara. The Eremo delle Querce with annexed an iconography laboratory kept by Basilian nuns is not too far down the trail. Along the route hikers will cross a holly oak forest and few monumental elder trees.

Brief historical overview

Form the Eremo di Sant’Ilarione, walking along a beautiful track known as the “Via delle rose” for roughly 5.5km, hikers can reach the village of Caulonia, rich in many monuments such as the Vincenzo Carafa memorial by Gagini (behind the main altar of the Chiesa Matrice). The beautiful Chiesa del Rosario and Piazza Mese (hosting the procession of Caracòlo during Holy Week) are worth a visit. Of particular interest are the Byzantine fresco of the wreaked church of San Zaccaria and the arts and crafts laboratory of Marta and Paolo Cirillo in the district of San Nicola.

Panoramic view

When in the municipality of Martone (4.5km from Gioiosa), it is recommended to pay a visit to the Grotta dei Saraceni featuring the ruins of the monastery of Sant’Anania and the Pietra di Sant’Anania (a calcareous monolith nearby sculpted by natural elements). The festivities dedicated to San Giorgio end with a ritual of interesting anthropologic value: A ‘Ntinna. Between Martone and Gioiosa Jonica there is a fascinating trekking trail (only accessible on foot) that follows the course of the Gallizzi stream with many elements of industrial archaeology such as olive-oil mills and wheat mills.

Crochi Procession

The highest part of the city of Gioiosa Jonica shows features of a Medieval urban tissue preserved to this day. The thermal baths of the Roman Villa of Naniglio, the many churches and noble palaces are all worth a visit – in particular, Palazzo Amaduri, featuring an archeological collection and an art collection including a painting by Mattia Preti and an installation by Maestro Nicola Sacco (renowned local artist). On the 26th of August the village celebrates the festivity of San Rocco: the statue of the saint is carried around in procession while worshippers dance to the rhythm of tarantella. Three famous local dishes to remember: pasta with tomato sauce and fresh corn seeds, the ice-cream pezzo duro, and the cinesine, exquisite cream pastries. The village of Mammola is a few kilometres away (10km c.a.) from Gioiosa Jonica and offers many touristic attractions such as the Basilian monastic grange of San Nicodemo (the shrine is at 700m above sea level on Mount Limina, several kilometres away from the city centre) and the MU.SA.BA. Art Gallery of Nick Spatari.

Old Calabrian-Lucanian station of Gioiosa​

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guides of reference for the stage: Mauro Rocca +39 320 0333351, +39 0964 390054 and Arturo Rocca +39 388 6586067, +39 0964 390054

[Gioiosa Ionica]

Pro Loco Gioiosa Ionica – tel. +39 0964 419839
Comune Gioiosa Ionica – tel. +39 0964 51536 – web: www.comune.gioiosaionica.rc.it

[Martone]

Comune Martone – tel. +39 0964 51356 – web: www.comune.martone.rc.it – mail: comune@comune.martone.rc.it
Pro Loco Martone – tel. +39 0964 51850 – web: www.prolocomartone.it