Amaroni – Palermiti

This stage of the Basilian Way runs between the fascinating villages of Amaroni, where the Basilian monk San Luca di Melicuccà spent the last years of his life and founded the monastery of San Nicola delle Maliole, and Palermiti. The route crosses a fascinating hilly landscape typical of Calabria giving you the experience of a journey between nature, culture and faith.

Palermiti: Chiesa Matrice di San Nicola.

Area

Serre

Difficulty

E – Also accessible with MBT

Distance

12,23 km

Travel time

4,3 hours

Start

Amaroni

Finish

Palermiti

Difference in altitude

↑ 389m ↓ 262m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

No

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

Start from the square in front of Amaroni town hall and continue along Viale Alcide De Gasperi towards Vallefiorita. At the bridge over the Ferrera river, turn right and follow the path that partly runs alongside the river and arrives first near 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, return along the same route as the outward journey and take Viale Alcide De Gasperi again towards Vallefiorita.
Continue until you cross Via Indipendenza and join stage 41 Squillace – San Vito sullo Ionio. Continue along Via Indipendenza towards Palermiti among magnificent olive groves and centuries-old oaks, some of extraordinary size, and end the stage in the square in front of Palermiti town hall.

Palermiti: murals in the historic centre of Palermiti dedicated to the Madonna della Luce.

Brief historical overview

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”.

Vallefiorita: oil mill in the historic centre of the town, evidence of the local tradition of oil production..

Vallefiorita, Città dell’Olio since 2012, stands on a spur between the valleys of the Serraltà di S. Vito, lapped by the “Herraru” stream. The original nucleus, documented since 1090, developed around a Basilian hermitage that introduced the devotion to Saint Elias, still very much felt in the community. The patron saint of the town is San Rocco.

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

Palermiti is said to have been founded by a group of refugees from Palermo, who came up there to escape persecution and the inquisitions. Belonging to rich families of Palermo merchants, they began to build their homes on the highest part of the hill and then decided to give the name “Palermiti” to this place in reference to their city of origin. Walking through the narrow streets of the historic centre you can visit the Church of San Nicola di Bari dating back to the 16^th century with its baroque bell tower, the 17^th century Baronial Palace that houses the Civic Museum which contains a collection of archaeological finds and works of art from the Palermiti area. Recently, ancient rock cavities have been discovered which, according to scholars, could be part of an early Christian sanctuary. One of the most heartfelt celebrations for the population is that of the Madonna della Luce, which is celebrated every year on September 8^th.

Landscape along the Amaroni – Palermiti route.

Map and elevation profile

Further information

[Palermiti]

Comune Palermiti – tel. +39 0961 914020 – sito web: http://comune.palermiti.cz.it – mail: info@comune.palermiti.cz.it

[Vallefiorita]

For the stamp on the Passaporto del Camminatore please contact Giuseppe Conte on +39 333 8994513.

Where to eat

[Vallefiorita]

Bakery Megna – tel. +39 0961 919653

Pastry shop – Dolci delizie di Rosanò Gregorio

Pizzeria – Tabù – tel. +39 0961 919510

Pizzeria – “Diversamente Napoletana” di Tredici Giuseppe – tel. +39 334 7101536

[Palermiti]

Pizzeria – Gatto Nero – tel. +39 0961 917575
Pizzeria – “Pizzarè” – tel. +39 0961 917822 – mail: ivanfurciniti@libero.it

Under the patronage of

Last update: 2025-06-16