Stage n.07
Cerchiara di Calabria – Civita
Area
Pollino
Difficulty
E
Distance
15,8 km
Travel Time
4.50 – 6 hrs
Start
Cerchiara di Calabria
Finish
Civita
Difference in altitude
↑ 598m ↓ 805m
Accessible
All year round
Springs and fountainheads with waypoint
Yes
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
No
It is a beautiful stage that connects two communities to the main shrine of the area: the Madonna delle Armi. Along the trail are the two slopes of Monte Sellaro and the Pollino Massif’s last eastern peak: a destination for woodmen, shepherds, worshippers and merchants of wine and cheese. On the one side great forests of holly oaks and durmast oaks; on the other the harsher environments of the Raganello stream. Both territories share the grey colours of limestone: Cerchiara di Calabria, the “village of bread”, where scattered caves all across the area have always been shelter to Basilian monks, brigands and shepherds (and today represent an ideal location for speleology enthusiasts); and Civita, village of arbëreshë culture and one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia”.
Sanctuary of Madonna delle Armi
It is a beautiful stage that connects two communities to the main shrine of the area: the Madonna delle Armi. Along the trail are the two slopes of Monte Sellaro and the Pollino Massif’s last eastern peak: a destination for woodmen, shepherds, worshippers and merchants of wine and cheese. On the one side great forests of holly oaks and durmast oaks; on the other the harsher environments of the Raganello stream. Both territories share the grey colours of limestone: Cerchiara di Calabria, the “village of bread”, where scattered caves all across the area have always been shelter to Basilian monks, brigands and shepherds (and today represent an ideal location for speleology enthusiasts); and Civita, village of arbëreshë culture and one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia”.
Sanctuary of Madonna delle Armi
Area
Pollino
Difficulty
E
Distance
15,8 km
Travel Time
4.50 – 6 hrs
Start
Cerchiara di Calabria
Finish
Civita
Difference in altitude
↑ 598m ↓ 805m
Accessible
All year round
Springs and fountainheads with waypoint
Yes
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
No
Hikers along the trail
Route
Along this part of the trail, in late spring, it is possible to admire the spectacular peonies’ blooming season. From a certain altitude onwards, the trail offers wide panoramic views firstly onto Cerchiara and the nearby mountains, then onto the entire Piana di Sibari, the Gulf and the Sila. Upon arrival at the parish, we recommend a small detour to the left. Leaving the RAI repeater behind, visitors can admire a unique view onto the village of Cerchiara, where the palaces and houses are perched onto the far end of Costa di San Marco. From here it is possible to make out the latin “Circularium” structure, used to organise the various houses on an arch in order for each to benefit of the first light of the day. Continuing along the trail, Cerchiara is no longer visible and a new panoramic view opens up: looking South it is possible to see Capo Trionto, Cariati and, at times, Crotone; looking North a series of mountains, the tallest of which is the Sparviere (1732m), that enclose the plane in a sort of plateau between the Pollino and the Sila. Following a small descent, hikers will find a cliff with the first walls of the Basilian Monastery of Santa Maria delle Armi.
Leaving this beautiful place behind, hikers will head for Fonte di Ventaglie. From the main paved road a small path leads to the Vasche di Venaglie, then downwards towards Prainosa until it reaches the track that goes uphill from Francavilla Marittima. Proceed in the direction of Fonte Scosa and Masseria Toscano. Take the old mule track that leads to the Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge) and you finally arrive in Civita, the small arbëreshe village perched on a rocky spur.
Brief historical overview
The structure of the city centre of Cerchiara di Calabria is of clear Medieval style. The old village – made of low housing, narrow alleys and magnificent gates carved in rock (the famous Pietra of Cerchiara) – has many churches (San Giacomo, San Pietro Apostolo, Sant’Antonio, with annexed the Convento degli Osservanti) and a great view onto the entire Piana di Sibari. The area of Cerchiara, thanks to its caves, has always been shelter to Basilian monks, brigands and shepherds: today it represents an ideal location for speleology enthusiasts. The geological structure is such that a kind of sulphurous water with remarkable properties for skincare gushes from the slopes of the mountains. Cerchiara is the “village of bread”. The bread is traditionally made with starter and flour of ancient wheat (Majorca and Carosella), and cooked rigorously in wood ovens. In the Museum of Bread are on display ancient tools and machineries, including millers’ and bakers’ mannequins to illustrate this art of the past.
Devil’s Bridge
Civita, one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia”, is an arbëreshë village at the heart of the Pollino National Park. It is highly recommended to visit the natural reserve “Gole del Raganello”. The evocative Ponte del Diavolo (“Devil’s bridge”) has been for a long time the only way to cross the Raganello stream. According to legend, the construction of the bridge in such a difficult and dangerous place was entrusted to the most skilful builder of the community, with the permission of the devil. In order to complete such task (that challenged all norms and rules) it was necessary to seek a little supernatural help. In exchange, the devil asked for the soul of the first person to cross the bridge, usually the very same builder. But the latter deceived the devil, sending a dog across the bridge in his stead. Thus both bridge and builder lived free from curses and obligations. In the proximities of the bridge is the Filanda Filardi, a spinning mill active from 1906 to 1979, that used to card and spin the wool of the many flocks of sheep of the area. Today it has been converted to a museum of industrial archaeology.
Piana di Sibari
Map and elevation profile
Further information
Guide of reference for the stage: Emanuele Pisarra +39 333 8732829
[Civita]
Associazione Culturale Gennaro Placco – tel. +39 0981 73150
Pro Loco Civita – tel. +39 320 6985890 – sito web: www.prolococivita.it/ – mail: info@prolocodicivita.it
Comune Civita – tel. +39 0981 73012 – sito web: www.comune.civita.cs.it – mail: protocollo@comune.civita.cs.it
Tour Operator Memo srl – Civita – tel. +39 0981 786322 – sito web: www.lovesothitaly.it – mail: info@lovesouthitaly.it
Parrocchia Santa Maria Assunta – Civita – tel. +39 0981 949146
Sindaco di Civita tel 0981 781077
Where to sleep
[Civita]
B&B – La Magara – tel. +39 0981 76213 – +39 0981 234860 – mail: antolule@yahoo.it
B&B – La Stella – tel. +39 340 4794467 – mail: lastellabb@gmail.com
B&B – Le vie del borgo – tel. +39 329 6573757 – mail: info@leviedelborgo.it
B&B – Lo Sparviero – tel. +39 339 8680619 – mail: rosa.francomano@beblosparviero.com
Extra: not verified
[Civita]
Guesthouse – Nido D’aquila – tel. +39 0981 73316 – mail: info@affittacamerecivita.com
B&B – Il Belvedere – tel. +39 0981 73232 – mail: ilbelvedere@bebparcodelpollino.it
B&B – Ponte Del Diavolo – tel. +39 339 4247620 – mail: info@ilpontedeldiavolo.com
B&B – La Ginestra – tel. +39 349 1297154 – mail: laginestra@bebparcodelpollino.it
B&B – La Rosa – tel. +39 339 8558954 – mail: info@bebcampanellacivita.it
B&B – Agorà – tel. +39 0981 73410 – mail: info@agoraristorazione.it
B&B – Dhafna – tel. +39 347 1332104 – mail: info@bebdhafnacivita.com
B&B – Il Comignolo di Sofia – tel. +39 340 5149030 – mail: stefaniaemmanuele@gmail.com
B&B – Il Granaio – tel. +39 0981 73316 – mail: info@bebilgranaio.it
B&B – La Sentinella – tel. +39 0981 73071 – mail: info@bebsentinella.it
B&B – Le Terrazze – tel. +39 349 7578063 – mail: bbcivita@leterrazze.org
[Cerchiara di Calabria]
Religious hospitality – Monastero Santuario Delle Armi – tel. +39 0981 991002 – n.b.: about 5 Km away from the village
Where to eat
[Civita]
Restaurant – L’antico Ulivo – tel. +39 0981 73333
Extra: not verified
[Civita]
Farmhouse – Raganello – tel. +39 339 2110466 – n.b.: about 3 Km away from the village
Restaurant – Tipico Kamastra – tel. +39 0981 73387
Restaurant – Agorà – tel. +39 0981 73410
With thanks to Regione Calabria for the Contribution to the project.
Last update: 2021-12-20
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Project realised with the contribution of Regione Calabria
Project realised with the contribution of Regione Calabria
