Squillace – Amaroni

A stage with a panoramic view of the blue sea of the Gulf of Squillace and the green Calabrian countryside. Squillace is the land of the illustrious Calabrian Flavius Magnus Aurelio Cassiodorus, who founded the monastery of Vivarium with its library here. Amaroni is the area where the Basilian monk San Luca di Melicuccà spent the last years of his life and founded the monastery of San Nicola delle Maliole.

Calvary at the entrance to Amaroni.

Area

Serre

Difficulty

E – Also accessible with MBT

Distance

9,34 km

Travel time

3,45 hours

Start

Squillace

Finish

Amaroni

Difference in altitude

↑ 254m ↓ 212m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

No

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

Start from the square in front of Squillace Castle and continue along Viale Cassiodoro towards Vallefiorita. At the first crossroads, leave Viale Cassiodoro and proceed right along a country road. Walk through green landscapes, olive groves and vineyards until you reach the asphalt road and continue left towards Vallefiorita and then turn right onto Via Alcide de Gasperi and continue towards Amaroni. Continue along Via Alcide De Gasperi on asphalt, passing by ancient votive shrines with representations of sacred images. At the height of the bridge over the Ferrera river, turn left and follow the path that partly runs alongside the river and soon reaches the ancient “icon” dedicated to the Madonna dei Sette Dolori. The path then continues on to the site of the ancient walls of the Abbey of San Nicola delle Maliole. This stretch is about 500 metres. After visiting the ruins of the Abbey, you return along the same path and continue your journey towards Amaroni on Viale Alcide De Gasperi and end the stage in front of the town hall.

Brief historical overview

Squillace, with its incredible location overlooking the gulf by the same name, is a village of ancient history. Among the main places of interest are the Castle of Norman origins, the Concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta and numerous churches. Flavio Magno Aurelio Cassiodoro, Roman politician and writer born in 485 AD in the nearby Scolacium, founded here the monastery of Vivarium, with annexed a library and a research centre for Bible studies. A short while before the city centre, via a brief detour, it is possible to admire the Ghetterello bridge: a structure built in local stone (granite) with a pointed arch also known as “donkey’s back”. Squillace is also renowned for its local production of ceramic. It is possibile to purchase beautiful ceramic artworks in various shops of the village.

Castle of Squillace

Amaroni, city of honey, is a small town in the province of Catanzaro nestled on a hill, at the foot of Mount Carbonara. Its origins date back to prehistoric times, as demonstrated by many historical finds. The first inhabitants settled along the banks of the Alessi river, the ancient KARKINOS, from the name of the Greek city that, according to some historians and archaeologists, stood here and was identified with the locality “Majurizzoni”. The people of Amaroni descend from the inhabitants of the old village, called “Majurizzuni” (or “Monte Incantato”) – formerly “Majorizonis” -, from “Maju” – elderberry – and “Rizuni” – large root, which stood about a kilometre from the current settlement on the original site founded in the 6th century in the locality of San Luca and inhabited by native populations. Terracotta objects, tools and sarcophagi have been found here. According to tradition, the country and the people of the Maronites take their name from the monk Morone or Marone, patriarch of Lebanon, Syria and the Hittemeronite people, and abbot of San Nicola dei Maioli, whose Abbey was destroyed in 1783. According to Prof. Raffaele Aversa, the Amaronites, a warrior people, strong, agile and faithful, come from Palestine, where even today there exists a Christian community called, precisely, “Maruniti”.

Bell tower of the Chiesa Matrice di Santa Barbara Vergine e Martire.

Vineyards along the route.

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guides of reference for the stage:
Marco Garcea – tel. +39 347 8051252

[Amaroni]

Comune Amaroni – tel. +39 0961 913030 – sito web: www.comunediamaroni.it
Proloco Amaroni – Anna Giampà cell. +39.333.1294513 – mail: giampaanna@gmail.com – sito web: www.facebook.com/prolocoamaroni.it
ArcheoClub d’Italia sede di Amaroni ” Valle dell’ Alessi-Majurizzuni” – tel. +39 366 7240632 – mail: archeoclubamaroni@gmail.com
Car rental and taxi service – Giampà Francesco – Tel. +39.333 7401486
Sestito Antonio’s Car Rental and Car Showroom Tel. +39 091553941 cell. +39 335 124 2673
Peasant Culture Museum – A private museum dedicated to peasant culture, which can be visited upon request. Tel: +39.339.2434097

Where to eat

[Amaroni]

Restaurant/pizzeriaSan Luca – contrada San Luca Amaroni – tel. +39 0961913468
La vecchia falegnameria – tel. +39 0961913515
La Locanda – tel. +39 393 0771225
A Casa da NAnna – tel. +39 333 5786401
Forum birreria paninoteca – tel. +39 333 634 2521

Last update: 2024-10-15