Stage n. 62
Samo – Staiti
Area
Locride
Difficulty
E – Also accessible via MTB
Distance
17,5 km
Travel time
6 – 8 hrs
Start
Samo
Finish
Staiti
Difference in altitude
↑ 712m ↓550m
Accessible
All year round
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
By Contrada Motticella
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
Bridge on the Fiumara La Verde and Fiumara Torno
Leaving Samo and the ruins of the fascinating hamlet of Precacore behind, the trail reaches Staiti, a village of the Aspromonte Massif where is one of the most important monuments of Byzantine/Norman era: the magnificent Church of Santa Maria dei Tridetti, dating back to the XI-XII century.
Staiti
Leaving Samo and the ruins of the fascinating hamlet of Precacore behind, the trail reaches Staiti, a village of the Aspromonte Massif where is one of the most important monuments of Byzantine/Norman era: the magnificent Church of Santa Maria dei Tridetti, dating back to the XI-XII century.
Staiti
Area
Locride
Difficulty
E – Also accessible via MTB
Distance
17,5 km
Travel time
6 – 8 hrs
Start
Samo
Finish
Staiti
Difference in altitude
↑ 712m ↓550m
Accessible
All year round
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
By Contrada Motticella
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
Bridge on the Fiumara La Verde and Fiumara Torno
Alleys of the hamlet of Staiti
Route
Brief historical overview
Samo’s current city centre was built following the destruction of the ancient village of Precacore during the 1908 earthquake. It is located just under the rocky spur where are the ruins of the ancient village, which was called with its oldest name of “Samo”. Folk celebrations for the Patron Saint of the village, San Giovanni Battista, are held from the 20th to the 29th of August. Along the trail that takes to the village of Precacore, throughout the 9 days preceding the birth of the Saint (24th of June) and the 9 days following its martyrdom (24th of August), it is possible to see groups of worshippers walking to the Shrine of San Giovanni Battista barefoot, to fulfil ex-votos (votive offerings). The Shrine of San Giovanni Battista features remains of a fresco of the Madonna Nera.
Contrada Motticella
Precacore sits on a arduous rock 20 minutes away on foot from the city centre of Samo. As the trail moves uphill along the slopes of the mountain towards the village, hikers will be able to admire the marvellous landscape of the fiumara La Verde, the peaks of the Aspromonte Massif, and the Locride. On the trail along the hill are many low reliefs (donated by various families of Samo) illustrating the Stations of the Cross and other religious scenes. The track continues until a large open space where an altar, dedicated to the Patron Saint, San Giovanni Battista, has been erected. The altar has been entirely caved into the rock. The aforementioned church of San Giovanni Battista and the Chiesa di San Sebastiano, both featuring ancient frescos and remains of Greek/Byzantine tradition, are well worth a visit.
Ancient village of Staiti
The village of Staiti is perched along the ridge of Mount Giambatore (450m above sea level), in the Parco Nazionale dell’Aspromonte. It overlooks the Valley of Fiumara Bruzzano, also known as the Valle degli Armeni (Valley of the Armenians) due to the presence of many remains left behind by Armenian populations arrived in Calabria during the 5th century. Probably founded as a small village of shepherds and farmers, Staiti has a classical Medieval structure made of small houses (arranged following to the natural shape of the terrain), with narrow alleys, steps, arches and apotropaic masks. The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vittoria, in the city centre, was built during the first half of the 17th century to commemorate the victory of Lepanto against the Turks (1571). The church features a beautiful statue of the Virgin with Child (1622) and two baroque altars. One of the most important monuments of Byzantine/Norman era is located on the road that connects the Marina of Staiti with the quarter of Badia: the Church of Santa Maria dei Tridetti, dating back to the XI-XII century.
Views from the Church of Staiti
Map and elevation profile
Further information
Guide of reference for the stage: Nunzio Mileto +39 347 6918660
[Staiti]
Comune Staiti – tel. +39 0964 941164 – web: www.comune.staiti.rc.it – mail: protocollo@comune.staiti.rc.it
Where to sleep
[Staiti]
Scattered hotels – Roberto Pangallo – Staiti – tel. +39 380 5973290 – mail: annapangallo@tiscali.it
Where to eat
[Staiti]
Restaurant – La taverna dei Santi – Vico Piazza Vittoria – tel. +39 388 929914 – moroalba@gmail.com
With thanks to Regione Calabria for the Contribution to the project.
Last update: 2021-12-31
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Project realised with the contribution of Regione Calabria
Project realised with the contribution of Regione Calabria