Pentedattilo – Motta San Giovanni

The stage connects two unique and fascinating villages at the foot of the mountains both rich in history: Pentedattilo and Motta San Giovanni. Pentedattilo is a small hamlet (with a population of just 40 inhabitants) that reveals its ancient Greek roots in the name “Pentadaktylos” (“five fingers”), so called due to the spectacular shape of the rocks upon which the village was built, towering over the fiumare Montebello and San Vito. Motta San Giovanni features the magnificent remains of the Castle of Santo Niceto, an ancient Byzantine stronghold built against Saracen raids around the first half of the XI century, said to resemble the shape of a ship with the bow looking to the Aspromonte Massif and the stern looking towards the Strait of Messina.

Pentedattilo seen from Masella

Area

Aspromonte

Difficulty

E- also accessible by MTB, despite a few steep climbs

Distance

17 km

Travel time

6 – 9 hrs

Start

Pentedattilo

Finish

Motta San Giovanni

Difference in altitude

↑ 950m ↓600m​

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

No

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

On this trail the fiumare are mostly dried out. The fiumara of Montebello is the only ford to cross (might be harder during winter time due to the higher water capacity of the stream).

Route

Leaving Pentedattilo behind, hikers will see looking back on the road beautiful panoramic views onto the majestic cliff up until Fiumara Montebello. Upon arrival in the area of Serro Fioremandra, another great rocky cliff will appear as hikers pass the first valley and take a track on the ridge towards the mountain. From the road, more breathtaking views onto ancient villages across the valleys. The trail passes from Molaro (in the distance hikers will see Mocissà and Montebello Ionico) and goes uphill through a series of small deserted district such as Serro Giubileo, Mastro Pietro and Limbia. The itinerary then reaches the area of San Basilio. Optional detour to the body of water of Scillupia, a small lake now turned into natural reserve.

Brief historical overview

Pentadattilo is a small picturesque village near the Greek-Calabrian area of Aspromonte. It is a district of the municipality of Melito Porto Salvo with a population of around 40 inhabitants. It reveals its ancient Greek roots in the name “Pentadaktylos” (“five fingers”), so called due to the spectacular and fascinating shape of the rocks upon which the village was built, towering over the fiumare Montebello and San Vito. It has very ancient origins: due to its morphological features, it was probably used as a strategic defensive site since Greek-Roman times. During the Byzantine era, from the VI century onwards, it became an important spiritual and religious centre (to the point that it was elected Protopopal seat). Italo-Greek monasticism had a prominent role here throughout the Medieval era and the following centuries. Pentedattilo was a key location during Norman, Swabian and Angevin rule as an important castrum (fortified military camp).

Towards the end of the 15th century, it turned into a feud and became property of many noble families, the most important being the Alberti family, who named the Castle (the ruins are still visible up above between the rocky peaks of the “stone hand”) and is remembered for the “Strage degli Alberti” (Alberti’s Massacre) during the Easter night of 1686. With the end of the feudal era, at the beginning of the 19th century, the village begun a slow decline in favour of the newborn city of Melito di Porto Salvo on the coastline. Pentedattilo was then completely abandoned following the devastating floods that battered the entire area during the 1950s and 1970s. Today the village has returned to life thanks to many important cultural and artistic restoration projects. It is highly recommended to visit the Chiesa dei SS. Apostoli Pietro e Paolo, at the heart of the village, and the Chiesa della Candelora, in the lower part, below the main square by the same name, featuring a precious 16th century statue of the Virgin with Child in Carrara marble. In the city centre there are many artisans shops and a small Museum of “Farmers’ Civilisation” and “Bergamot”.

Rocche di Mocissa

Motta San Giovanni is only a few kilometres away from the sea and was almost completely destroyed during the 1783 earthquake (that spared the Castle of Santo Niceto – substantial remains of the castle are still visible to this day). The shape of the Castle is said to resemble a ship, with the bow looking to the Aspromonte Massif and the stern looking towards the Strait of Messina. It was an ancient Byzantine stronghold against Saracen raids built around the first half of the XI century by locals and a number of Sicilian refugees faithful followers of Santo Niceto, Byzantine admiral of the VIII century.

Reservoir of Scillupia

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guide of reference for the stage: Demetrio D’Arrigo +39 347 6476347

[Motta San Giovanni]

Comune Motta San Giovanni – tel. +39 0965 718101 – web: www.comunemottasg.it – mail: sindaco@comunemottasg.it
Pro Loco Motta San Giovanni – web: www.prolococomunemottasg.it

Where to sleep

[Motta San Giovanni]

Scattered hotels – Cantina Di Zuco ​ – tel. +39 965711229 – mail: lacantinadizuco@gmail.com

Extra: not verified

[Motta San Giovanni]

Scattered hotels – Motta San Giovanni – tel. +39 347 6476347 – mail: lalocandadizuco@gmail.com

Last update: 2021-12-31