Gioiosa Jonica- Gerace

The stage begins in Gioiosa Ionica and runs along the territory of Martone up to the stone of S. Anania. Continuing, after crossing the Levadio river, you reach Mammola along the stretch of the old “Calabro-Lucane” railway. On the path you will meet the unlit tunnel so it is necessary to have a torch for visibility and to report one’s presence. From the Basilian grancia to the hermitage of San Nicodemo (variant in line a / r) there is a route of about 6 km, 2 of which in steep ascent, it is advisable to plan the necessary stops. If you do not take the variant, continue crossing the Torbido stream until you rejoin the stretch of the Gioiosa-Gerace stage at Monte Tripetita.

Gerace Cathedral

Area

Locride

Difficulty

E

Distance

28,+6 km

Travel time

10 – 12 hrs

Start

Gioiosa Jonica

Finish

Grancia basiliana di Mammola/ Eremo di San Nicodemo (variante)/Piazza Cattedrale di Gerace

Difference in altitude

↑ 1000m ↓800m
↑ 500m ↓800m on the variant

Accessible

from April to November

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Yes

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

Yes

Route

The route follows a panoramic path that overlooks the course of the Torbido stream with glimpses of the Ionian Sea and the Aspromonte.
The scenery shows the ruins of farms, oil mills and mills, among the centuries-old oaks, olive groves and Mediterranean scrub.
In Martone the old summer residence of the bishops of the diocese and the old fountains are interesting. In Mammola you can see important finds of industrial archeology including a restored and functioning French stone mill, with hydraulic power movement like the ancient ones.

Brief historical overview

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.

Vista panoramica su Mammola

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.

Vecchie fontane Martone

Mammola is a very ancient hamlet where Italo-Greek monks used to reside during the Medieval period. Among many important religious figures, San Nicodemo di Mammola is particularly renowned for its great spirituality and special relationship with animals. Mammola’s territory is rich in Greek and Roman archeological sites. It is worth paying a visit to the numerous churches, noble palaces and to the monastery of San Nicodemo, accessible from the city centre via a panoramic trail. Also very interesting, the Museum of Santa Barbara, created by the artist Nik Spatari on an ancient basilian monastery. Many unique local delicacies, such as the “stocco” of Mammola, a stockfish that is soaked in the light waters of the Zomaro springs and cooked in numerous different ways.

Bocca miniera Agnana

Agnana is a small municipality founded in 1343 near a convent of Basilian monks on top of Mount Sant’Agnana. It once was a great mining hub, with mines of brown coal and anthracite still open to visitors to this day. The anthracite excavated here was used in the construction of the railway Rome-Frascati in 1882. The first coal operated train, on the Napoli-Portici line, left the station among joyful chantings of “Hurray for Italy! Hurray for Calabria!”

Panorama vallata Torbido

Gerace is one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” and hosts an extremely valuable artistic, architectural and naturalistic heritage. The ruins of the Norman Castle tower above the cliff. The most majestic building is the XI Century Cathedral, with annexed the episcopal palace (seat to a rich diocesan museum). The “Square of the Three Churches” is very picturesque and includes: the Chiesa del Sacro Cuore, the Chiesa di S. Francesco (13th century) and the Chiesa di San Giovannello (orthodox rite). The Moresque double-arched windows, the noble palaces, the Piazza Del Tocco and the Monastero di S. Anna are all located along the main street leading to Porta del Sole (Gate of the Sun): from here is a great panoramic viewpoint onto the Locride – from Punta Stilo to Capo Bruzzano. The archaeological site of Locri Epizefiri is 8km away and features museums, temples, an amphitheater and a commercial district.

Cammino Basiliano: Santuario San Nicodemo sulla Limina

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guida di riferimento per la tappa: Mauro Rocca +39 320 0333351

[Gerace]

Comune Gerace – tel. +39 0964 356243 – sito web: www.comune.gerace.rc.it – mail: comunedigerace@postecert.it
Pro Loco Gerace – tel. +39 339 8930805 – sito web: www.prolocogerace.it

[Mammola]

Comune Mammola: tel. +39 964 414025 – sito web: www.comune.mammola.rc.it – mail: protocollo.mammola@asmepec.it
Pro Loco Mammola – sito web: www.prolocodimammola.it

[Martone]

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

Where to eat

[Mammola]

Food & Relax – tel. +39 338 9091851
Farmhouse – Cannazzi – tel. +39 964 418023; +39 338/7337229
Farmhouse – San Nicodemo – tel. +39 964 414999; +39 335 1722026