Gallicianò – Bagaladi

Hikers will be fascinated by the beautiful Orthodox Church of Panaghìa tis Elladas while on their way to Bagaladi from the small village of Gallicianò (district of Condofuri, renowned for the strong bond of his few inhabitants – around 60 people – to the Greek language and culture). The territory of Bagaladi is one of the most significant in the Valle del Tuccio and has been site to numerous important places of worship of Byzantine origins such as the Badìa di San Teodoro and the Monasteries of Sant’Angelo, San Fantino and of San Michele (unfortunately, only a few remains of these religious centres are still visible today).

Panoramic views onto Fiumara Amendolea from Gallicianò

Zona

Aspromonte meridionale – Area Greca

Difficoltà

E Percorribile anche in MTB

Distanza

18 km

Tempo di percorrenza

7-10 ore

Partenza

Gallicianò

Arrivo

Bagaladi

Dislivello

↑ 1068m ↓1200m

Percorribile

Tutto l’anno

Fonti e sorgenti con waypoint

Fonte piazza principale Gallicianò, Fonte ad inizio strada per Gallicianò, Fonte vicino santuario della Cappella,  Fonte San Lorenzo

Attraversamenti fiumi e fiumare (waypoint)

Fiumara Condofuri,  Fiumara Del Tuccio

Route

​The trail, starting from Gallicianò, offers great view onto the fiumara Amendolea below. In the stretch of road going downhill towards Condofuri Superiore, the landscape becomes softer, with sparse vegetation (except for a few small forests of eucalyptus). The trail arrives in Condofuri past the slope and a stretch of levelled road. Upon leaving the centre, hikers will cross the Fiumara Condofuri and head for the Shrine of Cappella in a landscape almost entirely devoid of trees. From the Shrine, the trail leads up to the village of San Lorenzo, set on high grounds with a 360 degrees view of the entire Calabrian-Greek area and the Ionian Sea with the majestic Etna volcano on the background. From San Lorenzo the itinerary continues to Bagaladi across centuries-old olive groves.

Brief historical overview

Gallicianò is a district of Condofuri renowned for the strong bond of his few inhabitants (around 60 people) to the Greek language and culture. The catholic Church of San Giovanni Battista features a fine marble sculpture of the Saint attributed to Antonello Gaggini. The Orthodox Church of Panaghìa tis Elladas, in the highest part of the city centre, was once visited by the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartolomeo I, and it is dedicated to the Madonna di Grecia. In the village, it is possible to visit the Museo Etnografico and drink from the Fontana dell’Amore (Fountain of Love).

Panoramic views from San Lorenzo with Etna volcano on the background

The village of Condofuri is located right by the fiumara that goes by the same name. The Chiesa di San Domenico towers above the houses of the village.

Panoramic view: in the background the village of Roccaforte and the Aspromonte mountains

​San Lorenzo is perched on top of a hill at 850m above sea level overlooking the entire Greek area of Calabria. From the highest vantage point, on a platform built over the remains of the old water tank in the quarter of Castello, the view extends from Bova to Pentedattilo and beyond, from the Ionian Sea to the highest peak of Aspromonte, to the Peloritani mountains and the majestic Etna volcano. The village is characterised by narrow steep alleys, especially in the areas of Borgo and Spartiddhi. A centuries-old elm tree in the main square (where are also the Chiesa Protopapale and Dittereale) is said to date back to the Battle of Lepanto. A second square in the quarter of Chianu has a panoramic viewpoint onto the Vallata del Tuccio below, covered with centuries old olive groves, and the city centre of Bagaladi. The Shrine of Madonna della Cappella, in the proximities of the San Pantaleone district, is made up of an airless church and part of the old convent. The Shrine features a fine Byzantine icon of the Virgin with Child dating back to the XI century. A very characteristic festival is held every year at the Shrine between the 12th and 15th of August – the celebrations were once linked to the most important fair of the area.

View of Gallicianò

Bagaladi is the gate to the Parco Nazionale dell’Aspromonte, a small village 460m above sea level on the right riverbank of fiumara Ruccio, at the slopes of Monte Sant’Angelo. The village has ancient origins and was probably founded around the 10th century. It is renowned for productions of honey and excellent olive oil. The territory of Bagaladi is one of the most significant in the Valle del Tuccio and has been site to numerous important places of worship of Byzantine origins such as the Badìa di San Teodoro and the Monasteries of Sant’Angelo, San Fantino and of San Michele (only a few remains of these religious centres are visible today). As you stroll around the alleys of the village, we recommended to visit the Chiesa di San Teodoro Martire, featuring one of the most important renaissance artworks of Aspromonte and Calabria: a sculpture of the Annunciation dating 1504 and attributed to Antonello Gagini, and a 16th century marble crucifix. The Frantoio Iacopino, one of the most important olive-oil mills of the area (the first to use water to power up the machines, now seat of the Museo dell’Olio) and the Mulino Rossi, are both worth a visit. The latter has been recently restored and converted to a stone mill with a great 19,50m high saetta (part of the mill where the water from above falls onto the wheel) – the tallest in Calabria. Traditional cuisine is based on local produces, such as “frittole” (pork based dish), cured meats, cheeses, ricottas, olive oil and honey.

Olmo secolare in piazza a San Lorenzo Superiore

Map and elevation profile

Further information

[Bagaladi]

Comune Bagaladi – tel. +39 0965 724016 – web: www.comune.bagaladi.rc.it – mail: comunebagaladi@tiscali.it
Pro Loco Bagaladi – web: www.facebook.com/Pro-Loco-Bagaladi-305352332967230 – mail: prolocobagaladi@gmail.com

Last update: 2021-12-31